This was not the way Manchester United was supposed to start the season, and it may have put their manager Jose Mourinho in peril.
After a lackluster win against Leicester City to start the season, followed by an embarrassing loss to Brighton, who finished 15th out of 20 in the English Premier League last year, Mourinho has found himself on the hot seat just 10 days into the season, and betting lines are responding accordingly.
Paddy Power has Mourinho at 5/1 to be the first Premier League manager fired, and 10/11 to be gone by May 12, 2019. The Irish sportsbook also has him at 2/1 to either be fired or resign by Christmas Day.
The coach twice canned by Chelsea has been at the helm of Manchester United since 2016, coming to the club after his latest dismissal from the team’s London rival in blue.
Losing Mindset, Escalating Tensions
The Red Devils were a 4/5 favorite to defeat Brighton, despite losing in their last meeting on May 4. The Seagulls were a 6/1 pick to pull off the upset.
Man U trailed at the half 3-1, and the Daily Star said the team had a “shambolic defensive display.” They got a penalty goal from captain Paul Pogba, but eventually lost, 3-2. Afterward Pogba was blunt in his criticism of their effort.
“We lost, we lost in the attitude that we had today, I don’t think we deserved to win,” Pogba said. “I put myself first, that my attitude wasn’t right enough, we keep trying and keep pushing but it’s a big lesson for us.”
Mourinho was a bit testy after the match, chiding reporters who were looking for to comment on his players.
“When I am critical with my players you just don’t accept it, so please do not ask me to go in this direction because it is not good for me,” Mourinho said. “I will be very happy to analyze my players’ performances when they were very good. When I cannot do that, don’t push me to the other side because I will not go to the other side.”
Fans are frustrated because the team has spent $485.7 million on transfers the past two years, and aren’t performing up to their expectations. They took to social media to vent their frustrations.
Daniel (@danired900) summed up most of the posts on Twitter when he wrote: “If Manchester United Decides To Sack Mourinho Tonight I Would Be Backing The Decision..For Christ Sake We Don’t Need Alderwield, Willian, Godin To Beat Brighton Ffs.. We Need A Tactically Good Coach..”
Hold Your Bets?
Don’t run to the betting window just yet to put money down on Mourinho losing his job. It seems almost since the day he joined the club, he has been the speculation of firing talks.
In 2016, sportsbooks had Mourinho the 1/2 favorite to be fired during his first season at Manchester United. He was a 3/1 pick to not be the coach by the end of that season.
Last November he saw his odds drop from 25/1 to 16/1 to be the first coach fired in the Premier League. He also was a 5/1 selection not to be the coach by the end of the season.