Stoke chief a big price to be next Premier League boss to go

Much scrutiny has been placed upon Tony Pulis of late, as Stoke endure the worst run of his reign since he guided them into the Premier League five years ago.

And although the Potters chief has vehemently denied claims he will consider his future this summer, he does look overpriced at 20/1 to be the next top-flight boss to leave his post.

Pulis, in the seventh year of his second stint as Britannia Stadium chief, is believed to have grown disillusioned at the lack of funds available to him, feeling that too great an emphasis is being placed on youth development at the club.

The 55-year-old would instead prefer to be given the scope to invest in the current first-team, and will have showdown talks with chairman Peter Coates regarding his concerns.

He told The Sun: “I wouldn’t discuss anything about the club with anyone before speaking to the owners.

“I have my own feelings on the Academy but it is the most important thing the club has to achieve over the next five years.

“The whole set-up has been poor in lots of respects. The club realises that and is doing its best to correct that.”

Such comments suggest that Pulis is hardly sitting on the fence with his views, and indicate that tension is apparent between the Welshman and the Potters board.

And should Pulis not receive the assurances he is seeking regarding club policy, it is not inconceivable that he could leave for a second time.

He would do so with his stock high, after guiding Stoke to promotion, five years’ comfortable Premier League survival, an FA Cup final and a first European campaign in 40 years since being re-appointed in 2006.

Despite these achievements though, there are some Potters fans who have grown frustrated with Pulis’ leadership of the team, particularly in light of a run that has reaped one victory from their last 11 league games.

And the presence of this mindset, albeit from a minority of Stoke supporters, could too play a part in the potential departure of their manager.

All in all, there are certainly enough reasons to believe that 20/1 is far too big a price regarding Pulis becoming the next Premier League manager to relinquish his role.

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