The pressure is mounting on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's future, having endured a run of six defeats in nine games since the end of September. The Reds are on the verge of Champions League elimination, were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal in October and they sit 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea after 12 games.
Premier League Safer For Managers?
Such is the suddenly prudent nature of the top flight clubs in England this season, that nobody has yet left in mid-November - at this stage last term, four managers had already gone. A new rule regarding compensation for sacked managers should a settlement not be reached with the club that has dismissed them was brought in within the last 18 months. It was successfully utilised by Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley following their departures from Newcastle United and West Ham respectively.
Uncertainty Off The Field In His Favour?
The one saving grace for Rafael Benitez could be the continued confusion at boardroom level between co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, plus the potential compensation package the Spaniard would receive should he become one of a select few asked to relinquish his position in the Anfield hotseat. Factor in the cost of hiring a new boss, changing the backroom staff and providing a decent budget which presumably would have attracted the new man in the first place then a Benitez dismissal makes little financial sense - he also signed a new four-year contract in March.
Possible Managerial Targets
Kenny Dalglish, now back at the club in a non-coaching capacity, has been strongly backed to take over, if only until the end of the season before a big overseas name be attracted – Jose Mourinho perhaps? The owners confirmed tentative discussions with former Germany and Bayern Munich Jurgen Klinsmann during Benitez’s tenure, and he has been noted. Others? Russia coach Guus Hiddink, having enjoyed his caretaker stint at Chelsea last season, while former boss Gerard Houllier is also apparently in the running.
Speculation Remains Regarding Hull City's Phil Brown
There are a number of names emerging as front-runners for the Hull City job should, as expected, Phil Brown be dismissed this month. Despite the 2-1 comeback victory over Stoke City on November 7, the Tigers have garnered only 11 points this season, with three wins from 12 league games while since – and including – the 5-1 Boxing Day embarrassment at Manchester City in December, which saw Brown deliver his half-time team talk on the pitch in front of the travelling fans, the Tigers have won only eight of their 40 fixtures in all competitions. Recent upheaval at the KC Stadium has seen Paul Duffen resign as chairman with previous incumbent Adam Pearson, who stepped down from Derby County at the end of October to “pursue new challenges”, taking his place - having previously fulfilled the role.
All Bets Are Off
Some bookmakers had stopped taking bets on Brown being the first Premier League dismissed this term before the Stoke game, with the club hovering just a point above West Ham United and Wolves in the bottom three. Pearson assured fans that Brown will be in charge for the Stoke game and despite the win it will do little to appease bookmakers. Pearson insists the club need results quickly – something Brown has patently failed to deliver regularly enough in 2009 - and with West Ham and Everton next up at the KC Stadium, a failure to garner at least three points from those games could see the axe fall.
Ferguson In The Hunt?
Big names linked with Hull include former West Ham and Charlton boss Alan Curbishley, who has been without a club since leaving the Hammers early last term - and known to be friend of new chairman Pearson. Gareth Southgate was dismissed by Middlesbrough recently and despite taking Boro down, he is a potential fancy with bookmakers. Other potential names are ex-Bradford, Wigan and Derby chief Paul Jewell and Croatia coach Slaven Bilic. But a new name to emerge is Darren Ferguson - son of Sir Alex - and recently dismissed by Championshio side Peterborough United, despite leading them to two successive promotions which has left them in the second tier.
Others Under Pressure
With Benitez and Brown the big two, Gianfranco Zola is also worth keeping tabs on, with the Hammers residing in the drop zone. Defeat at home to Everton on November 8 left the Hammers in the drop zone with only two wins from 12. The other main candidates are Paul Hart, who saw his bottom-placed Pompey side go down 3-1 at Blackburn last time out, Alex McLeish – who has new owners to contend with at Birmingham – and Bolton’s Gary Megson, the Trotters having gone down 5-1 at Aston Villa on November 7. Harry Redknapp, who was favoured this time last month due to rumours of a shock departure from Tottenham, is now off the short odds radar.
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