Winless Reading boss a big price to be next Premier League casualty

Reading remain in search of their first Premier League win of the season, having played six times since winning last year’s Championship title.

As such, Royals chief Brian McDermott looks far too big as a 16/1 shot to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post.

Although surprising many in winning the second tier title last term, McDermott could fall victim to the ruthless nature of the Premier League sack race, should results not quickly improve.

And with a daunting trip to Liverpool, followed by testing home ties against in-form Fulham and Arsenal their next three fixtures, such a scenario looks unlikely.

Potentially crucial ties against QPR and Norwich follow those matches, and should Reading remain winless up to that point, poor results in either of those games could seal McDermott’s fate.

Meanwhile, another reason McDermott could come under scrutiny stems from the increasing influence of club owner Anton Zingarevich.

The Russian, 29, invested in the club in the aftermath of McDermott’s initial appointment, and thus had no say in granting him the position at the helm of the club.

But whilst Sir John Madejski remains chairman, Zingarevich’s power within the club has grown, and as future chairman, he could deem it necessary to alter the managerial regime.

These factors seem to make McDermott a very tempting option to be the next top flight boss to go, with 16/1 a monster price regarding that occurrence.

Of other options, QPR chief Mark Hughes is 1/1 favourite to exit next, but Rs chairman Tony Fernandes’ continued votes of confidence for the Welshman make that seem improbable.

Nigel Adkins is next in the betting at 11/4, but, after achieving consecutive promotions with Southampton, he is likely to have greater job security than his rivals at St. Mary’s.

And Chris Hughton, three months into his Norwich tenure, appears unlikely to leave at this stage of his reign, so the 6/1 concerning his Carrow Road exit should be avoided.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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