We should never be surprised by the wild and whacky world of the Premier League, but this season’s managerial sack race has kicked off before the 2023/24 campaign has started.
The fixtures came out just last week and this morning the owners of Bournemouth Football Club have announced they have sacked manager Gary O’Neil after he led the Cherries to a 15th placed finish last term. That Bournemouth were never really in the relegation scrap and finished five points clear of the bottom three might be seen as a successful campaign, particularly as some big hitting teams, Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton actually took the drop.
When this SBOTOP writer was taking a look at this morning’s Premier League 2023 news I picked out some decent transfer gossip, but then the bombshell of O’Neill’s dismissal landed to surprise us all. He took over from the sacked Scott Parker who, by the way, was potted after just 25 days into the season, and was given an 18 month deal in November. But just eight months on O’Neill is on his way with the club saying a new man will be in the hot seat pretty soon.
The former Middlesbrough player picked up 36 points from his 34 games in charge but, clearly that wasn’t enough for Bournemouth owner Bill Foley who said: “We have identified a number of significant targets in the transfer market. This change in direction will provide us with the best platform from which to build.”
I’m not entirely sure what he means by that, but it will be interesting to see who the trigger happy Cherries appoint next.
Bayern talk to Walker
The early Premier League 2023 betting odds are already backing Manchester City to defend their title and boss Pep Guardiola will already be shaping his squad again for the next push and, while the champions will bring in some new blood, there may well be some high profile outgoings from the Etihad. With Ilkay Gundogan’s contract expiring and talk of a return to Borussia Dortmund, another Bundesliga giant is circling the Etihad as FC Bayern are reported to be in negotiations to sign right back Kyle Walker. The 33 year old has been with the Sky Blues since 2017, but Guardiola may well be happy to see him go if he can bring in a replacement, and his speed and all round experience would be huge assets to the Bavarians.
On the incomings, City are close to agreeing a deal to bring Chelsea’s box-to-box midfielder Mateo Kovacic to the club. The Croatia international is reported to have agreed terms and that move may happen sooner rather than later.
A rather more speculative idea is that Brazilian ace Neymar might fancy a stint in the Premier League and apparently former Barcelona boss Guardiola has called the unsettled PSG striker to discuss his options.
Gunners raiding their London neighbours
Arsenal are planning another assault on the league title and have been trying to sign West Ham skipper Declan Rice, but their opening offer of £80m plus add-ons is short of the Hammers’ valuation. West Ham boss David Moyes has said Rice can leave the club but at the right price, and that may be over £100m. And Arsenal are also short of the mark in their attempt to bring Chelsea forward Kai Havertz to the Emirates. The Blues are having a shake-up at Stamford Bridge and new boss Mauricio Pochettino is getting some control over the transfer dealings at the club. Havertz will be allowed to go but Arsenal’s first bid needs to increase. If Mikel Arteta wants his men then the board will back him after an impressive 2022/23 campaign.
Another Chelsea player likely to move on in the summer is Rice’s England team-mate and big friend Mason Mount. He was an integral part of Chelsea’s team under Thomas Tuchel, 12 months and three managers ago, but Pochettino is willing to let Mount go and Manchester United are at the front of the queue. The Red Devils are set to make an improved bid of £50m for the midfielder and that might be enough to tempt Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.
Manchester United are also rumored to be preparing an offer to bring England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to Old Trafford, a move which is dividing opinion among United fans. Pickford has performed well for the Three Lions but has made mistakes as Everton stopper during two desperate survival campaigns.
Red Devils fans may be happier to stick with Golden Glove winner David de Gea but this story is well worth following.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
