Watford’s Xisco Munoz Favored as First EPL Manager to Be Sacked

• EPL season kicks off on Friday with trigger-happy Watford chiefs tipped to fire its coach
• Former New York City FC boss Patrick Vieira also under threat in new job in command at Crystal Palace
• See all the odds and best bets with Watford’s Xisco Munoz Favored as First EPL Manager to Be Sacked

Only four English Premier League managers were sacked last season, which was a relatively low number.

More heads could roll this time around with the financial stakes higher than ever in the competition – and with the return of crowds set to crank up the pressure on struggling bosses.

Newly promoted Watford has worked its way through no fewer than 14 permanently appointed coaches during the past decade.

So it is no surprise that the current boss, Xisco Munoz, is rated as the favorite to be first for the chop in the coming campaign, which begins on Friday.

EPL First Manager Sacked Odds

Odds as of August 12 at William Hill

This is despite the fact that he has been in his post only since last December – and, furthermore, won automatic promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.

However, the team is tipped for a tough battle against relegation.

If that is the case, Munoz surely will not last long given the club’s track record.

Hasenhutl At Risk

Those additionally considered at risk are Crystal Palace’s newly-appointed chief Patrick Vieira along with Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhutl.

Steve Bruce of Newcastle United is, meanwhile, also considered a potential candidate to be deposed.

Firstly, Watford’s owners, the Pozzo family, are notoriously impatient with their managers.

Therefore, the oddsmakers at William Hill rate the 40-year-old Spaniard Munoz as the favorite to be first for the chop at +450.

Munoz’s predecessor at Watford, the Serbian Vladimir Ivic, was previously allowed only four months in the manager’s job.

He was given only 11 games to prove himself – and won six of them while drawing three and losing only twice.

In the past two years alone, Watford has appointed four bosses.

The team was in fifth place. But it was still considered not good enough.

Moreover, in the past two years alone, Watford has appointed four bosses.

⏪ 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 ⏪

On our last return to the @PremierLeague… pic.twitter.com/NZh54ofn6x

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 11, 2021

Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson stepped down in the summer at Crystal Palace with his replacement Vieira priced as second-favorite to be sacked at +600.

Palace is entering its ninth season in the EPL which is the club’s longest spell in England’s top flight after finishing 14th in 2020-21.

However, the squad is in transition and Vieira – with assistant Osian Roberts – seems determined to replace Hodgson’s careful, defensive style with a more attacking approach.

This could see the team punished by the big boys.

Indeed, when Vieira was sacked from his previous post at Nice in France’s Ligue 1, he was accused of lacking tactical organization and clear footballing philosophy.

Palace Stability Could Crack

So the years of stability built at Palace by Hodgson could subsequently crumble.

Vieira began his managerial career at MLS outfit New York City FC in 2016.

But he was sacked in his second season in charge at Nice after a seventh-place finish in his first campaign.

Osian Roberts has had his say after joining #cpfc as Patrick Vieira's assistant: 💬

“This is a new challenge for me and I’ve been welcomed brilliantly already. I’m excited to work closely with some very talented people this season.” pic.twitter.com/yR0Cpjk7z4

— Crystal Palace FC News (@AdvertiserCPFC) August 6, 2021

Several senior players have left Palace including England defender Gary Cahill, Joel Ward, Scott Dann, Patrick Van Aanholt and Andros Townsend.

The two most promising replacements are defender Marc Guehi who has arrived from Chelsea for £21 million – and fellow center-back
Joachim Andersen, a £14 million capture from Lyon.

🚨 NEW: Tottenham are preparing a move for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse after the Premier League season starts this weekend. [@mcgrathmike] pic.twitter.com/pfEbRUO56K

— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) August 11, 2021

It could help make the team solid but major transitions in the dug-out and on the pitch do not bode well for Palace.

The Austrian Hasenhutl took Southampton as high as third place last December.

Southampton’s top goalscorer Danny Ings has departed for Aston Villa.

However, a run of 15 defeats after the turn of the year – with only five wins and two draws – wrecked the season and the team ended up 15th.

Moreover, last season’s top goalscorer Danny Ings has departed for Aston Villa – although there are high hopes for his replacement from Blackburn Rovers, Adam Armstrong.

French defender Roman Perraud has been bought from Brest for £11 million to add solidity. But fans fear that influential midfielder James Ward-Prowse could also be on the move.

Daniel Farke of Norwich City and Thomas Frank of Brentford may face a tough time in charge of newly-promoted teams. But, undoubtedly, both are firmly backed in their respective boardrooms.

Bruce Has Newcastle’s Backing

The same goes for Steve Bruce at Newcastle, which was 12th last season despite discontent among the supporters.

Hence, in conclusion, Watford’s Munoz will surely be the first boss out of the door.

Premier League 2021-22 preview No 14: Newcastle – will Steve Bruce finally escape the shadow of Rafa Benítez?https://t.co/nEfZ3uvMGv

— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) August 10, 2021

He may, however, be beaten by Vieira if things start badly Palace.

After all, in a previously bold managerial move, Dutchman Frank De Boer lasted just 10 weeks at the club in 2017.

Additionally, odds of +660 are offered for No Manager To Leave.

Pick: Xisco Munoz (Watford) +450