First to Be Shown the Exit: Premier League Sack Race 2025/26

The long wait is almost over. Friday, 15 August, sees the 2025/26 Premier League season get underway in what is sure to be an emotional fixture at Anfield as defending champions Liverpool take on Bournemouth.

The start of the new season sees the beginning of several races: the race for the title, the race for the European positions, and the battle to beat the drop. Generally, winning a race is a positive. However, there is one race that nobody wants to win – the Premier League sack race. Nevertheless, given the managerial churn of the modern era, one unfortunate manager almost certainly will come out in front in this most unfortunate of contests, with Eric ten Hag the victor in 2024/25.

Much like the Premier League winner, European positions, and relegation places, betting on the sack race is hugely popular with punters. But who will come out “on top” in the current campaign? Here, using analysis presented by NewBettingSites.uk, we highlight the six managers most likely to receive their marching orders.

Keith Andrews, Brentford – 4/1 with Star Sports

Brentford aren’t afraid to go with their gut when it comes to managerial appointments. Some questioned the promotion of Thomas Frank following the departure of Dean Smith in 2018. However, that worked out rather well, with the Bees earning promotion from the Championship in 2020/21 before posting 13th, 9th, 16th, and 10th place finishes.

With Frank departing for Spurs, Brentford turns to set-piece coach Keith Andrews, a man with precisely zero managerial experience to his name, let alone in the most demanding league on the planet. A tough task for the 44-year-old, made all the tougher by the sales of 20-goal forward Bryan Mbeumo and midfield lynchpin Christian Norgaard.

Daniel Farke – 5/1 with Star Sports

Considering each of the last six promoted sides have received an immediate return ticket to the Championship, it is no surprise to see the managers of Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland featuring prominently in the market.

First up, the man in charge at Elland Road. First entering the English game with Norwich in 2017, Farke has become a promotions specialist – taking Norwich to the promised land twice before his latest heroics with Leeds. Unfortunately, he has proven equally adept at taking sides back down again. Norwich finished rock bottom in 2019/20 and 2021/22. Sacked before the end of the season in that latter campaign, Farke set a new Premier League record of 15 consecutive defeats. Leeds were exceptional in the Championship last term, but has Farke learned from his past mistakes?

Scott Parker – 13/2 with Star Sports

While Leeds blasted their way to promotion, Scott Parker moulded Burnley into one of the most defensively resolute sides in the history of the Championship – conceding only 16 times in 46 fixtures was a truly remarkable achievement. The task now is to repeat the feat in the face of the attacking might of the Premier League.

Impressive as Burnley were last season, there are a few factors which suggest this season may be a struggle. Firstly, the difference in attacking quality they will face can’t be overstated, secondly, James Trafford has left for Manchester City, taking his 85% save rate with him, and thirdly, Scott Parker has an abysmal record in the Premier League. Stats of nine wins from 52 matches and a goal difference of -52 make for worrying reading.

Regis Le Bris – 15/2 with Star Sports

Requiring last-gasp winners in the Championship Playoff Semi-Final and Final, Sunderland fans are probably surprised to be here. However, the club has wasted little time in attempting to ensure survival with a radical £135 million squad overhaul. In Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats also have the services of one of the most impressive managers in the Championship last season.

Unlike Farke and Parker, the Frenchman has no previous Premier League scars and has the nous to have Sunderland punching above their weight – if the new players integrate quickly. Finishing rock bottom on their most recent Premier League appearance in 2016/17, the Stadium Of Light faithful will be optimistic that their club may at least fare better than that.

Graham Potter – 12/1 with Star Sports

Outside of the inexperienced Keith Andrews and promoted managers, Graham Potter looks vulnerable in the West Ham hot seat. Having worked wonders at Brighton, Potter's managerial stock took a hit at Chelsea. Thus far, his stint in North London has done little to rectify matters.

Potter was brought in to steady the ship following the Julen Lopetegui disaster. However, a record of five wins, five draws, and eight defeats was barely better than relegation form, and represented a marginally worse points-per-game record than that achieved by Lopetegui. Receiving minimal support in the summer transfer window, Potter could quickly find himself under pressure.

Recommended Bet

Keith Andrews is a surprising appointment, but Brentford gets most things right and may be worth trusting again. Scott Parker and Daniel Farke make obvious appeal given their history in the division, but, at a double-figure price Graham Potter is the best bet. We didn’t see any improvement in West Ham following his appointment, and, barring a late, unexpected flurry in the transfer window, it might not be long before the doom and gloom set in at the London Stadium.