The Premier League Sack Race has exploded into action following the recent sackings of Slavisa Jokanovic (Fulham) and Mark Hughes (Southampton), with the latter axed on Monday morning.
Hughes’ overdue exit means there’s a new, yet familiar, name at the top of the Sack Race market in Jose Mourinho, who failed to beat Hughes over the weekend as Manchester United’s winless run was extended to three top-flight games.
United endured a shocking opening 20 minutes at St Mary’s, leaking in two goals to a struggling Saints side that had won once all season. However, the visitors clawed their way back to go in level at the break, but then failed to bag another in the second half, meaning they ended the game with a disappointing point.
The result means that United remain rooted in 8th, but are now an alarming eight points adrift of the top-four, and a truly staggering 16 points behind table-toppers Man City - after only 14 matches.
Southampton then terminated Hughes’ contract on Monday morning, and bookies subsequently cut Mourinho from 8/1 to the 2/1 favourite to become the Premier League’s third managerial casualty of the season, while Zinedine Zidane remains the favourite in the next Man Utd manager market.
It could be curtains for Mourinho on Wednesday should United flop against Arsenal at Old Trafford. The Red Devils haven’t triumphed in the Premier League for a month now, whereas the in-form Gunners are unbeaten in a remarkable 19 matches in all competitions, and confidence is high following the 4-2 thrashing of Tottenham.
A number of United fans have been quick to call for United to follow Southampton’s lead, and axe Mourinho...
Southampton sack Mark Hughes for drawing with us!!! Even Southampton have more ambition than our board now. Embarrassing! Absolutely embarrassing that our club won't take action because they don't want to pay Mourinho's severance pay....#MUFC (@UnitedStandMUFC)
If Southampton could sack Mark Hughes for the draw. I wonder why Mourinho is still the United coach. They are both culprits. This is double standard 😂 (@wabbillionaire)
It makes so much sense to sack #Mourinho now, no meaningful champions league for a while.. we aren’t going to win the league, best we can hope for is top 4, and that’s looking remote. It’s not working. At least remove the bad apple. #mufc (@pandybear55)
Our club is broken really broken (@naufal1251)
We pretend to be a club the likes of Real, Juve, Bayern etc etc, but really are not anymore. We're a joke. Getting used to it now. Sadly. (@kogrady74)
Can't even be bothered anymore, will take a loss if it means Mourinho will get the sack (@HazoomMoussa16)
