Premier League Sack Race: Sage, Carrick, Jaissle on the brink
The Premier League is closing in on its first managerial sacking of the season, three months after it kicked off.
The international break is ripe for change in the dugout as it gives clubs the chance to find a new head coach and give them a little bit of time to get their feet under the table.
It would appear Crystal Palace will be the first ones to blink in 2026/27, with reports claiming they are about to relieve Pierre Sage of his duties.
It would hardly be a surprise would that come to pass. The Eagles are bottom of the Premier League with seven points from the opening ten matches. They have been truly abysmal so far and they were fortunate to even win the two games they did.
Michael Carrick’s head looked like it was on the chopping block at Old Trafford on Saturday when his side were 4-2 down to Aston Villa in the second half. But two stoppage time goals rescued a point for the Red Devils and possibly some reprieve for the under-pressure manager.
It seems inevitable that Carrick will be sacked before long, but who knows how long. Indecision and a lack of future planning appears to be built into the functioning of Manchester United these days.
Read – Michael Carrick ‘expects’ to remain in charge of Man Utd
The bookmakers believe Regis Le Bris is the next most likely manager to get the sack, despite the fact Sunderland secured a huge victory over Chelsea at the weekend. The Black Cats are second from bottom in the standings and only Coventry City have more lost more matches than them. But Le Bris has so much credit in the bank from getting the club promoted and into Europe that it’s hard to see him getting fired anytime soon.
Matthias Jaissle is also walking on a tightrope, though Newcastle United’s draw with Fulham did his chances of staying in the job no harm. That result keeps them four points above the dropzone, but the Magpies have performed abysmally thus far.
Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca’s odds of getting the sack at Manchester City have shortened considerably in recent weeks. The Italian has overseen three straight defeats in the Premier League.
Premier League Sack Race odds:
=1. Pierre Sage (Crystal Palace) – 6/5
=1. Michael Carrick (Man Utd) – 6/5
3. Regis Le Bris (Sunderland) – 6/1
4. Matthias Jaissle (Newcastle United) – 8/1
5. Enzo Maresca (Man City) – 16/1