Sack Race: Rodgers favourite, McClaren on the move

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers: Linked with a summer return to Swansea

Is John Motson right? Is there a “conspiracy” against Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers? Regardless, the bookies’ have him as the new favourite to go first, while Steve McClaren is now as short as 5/1.

1. BRENDAN RODGERS (↑1)

The money is starting to come for 6/4 Brendan and he now tops the sack race chart for the first time this season after another underwhelming performance in the 1-1 draw with Norwich at Anfield.

It’s certainly worrying times on Merseyside because the Reds’ attacking football has been almost non-existent and the two victories they have mustered in the league were a last-gasp win away at struggling Stoke and a controversial home win over new boys Bournemouth in which Christian Benteke was clearly offside when he grabbed the winning goal.

Jamie Carragher thinks Rodgers shouldn’t be judged until nearer Christmas, but Fenway Sports Group who gave Rodgers a vote of confidence in the summer don’t strike me as an organisation who make rash decisions and the Northern Irishman will get the season before Fenway ‘review’ Brendan’s efforts once more.

2. DICK ADVOCAAT (↓1)

Advocaat has been knocked off the top, but it’s not down to his Sunderland side and more down to Rodgers’ incompetence at Liverpool.

The weekend defeat at Bournemout means the Black Cats are still waiting for their first win of the season and Dick said he would quit on Monday if there was a better candidate to replace.

3. STEVE MCCLAREN (↑6)

McClaren (5/1) is the biggest mover up the chart after Newcastle slumped at home to Watford.

The former England manager is not too concerned though because after the 2-1 loss he claimed they were “just turning things around”.

4. TIM SHERWOOD (↑2)

Sherwood is starting to feel the heat at Villa Park after the weekend’s home defeat to West Brom, but it’s hard not to have a bit of sympathy for the 8/1 former Spurs boss.

He’s lost some big players in the summer and is obviously working on a tight budget with owner Randy Lerner keen to sell up.

5. JOSE MOURINHO (↓3)

Thanks to Diego Costa the spotlight has been moved away from Jose Mourinho this week.

He did chalk up a 2-0 win over nine-man Arsenal though to cool the talk of him quitting. He was in great form at his press conference last week when one journalist accused him of struggling with “third-season syndrome”.

He gave the whole idea short shrift and earlier making it clear he would not quit at Stamford Bridge.

6. MAURICIO POCHETTINO (NM)

7. TONY PULIS (↑3)

= QUIQUE FLORES (↓3)

9. MARK HUGHES (↑5)

= RONALD KOEMAN (↑1)

= LOUIS VAN GAAL (↑3)

12. SLAVEN BILIC (↓7)

= CLAUDIO RANIERI (NM)

14. ROBERTO MARTINEZ (↓7)

15. EDDIE HOWE (↓1)

= ALEX NEIL (↓1)

17. GARRY MONK (↓3)

= ALAN PARDEW (↑4)

19. MANUEL PELLEGRINI (↑1)

= ARSENE WENGER (↓5)

NO MANAGER TO LEAVE – 80/1