EPL: 6 Managers Who Could Be Sacked By Christmas

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It's October, which in football can only mean one thing—it's sacking time!

Figures released by the LMA showed that English clubs spent over £100 million changing bosses last season, with 10 Premier League managers leaving their clubs.

Steve McClaren has kicked things off this season by leaving Nottingham Forest after only 112 days at the helm. However, as yet no Premier League manager has been axed.

So in reverse order, here are the six men least likely to be worrying about the January transfer window over their Christmas dinners.

Arsene Wenger

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It was been a season of misery for the Frenchman before a ball was kicked. Top players were seduced by bigger salaries and prospects of silverware and Wenger was unwilling to replace them.

A flurry of activity on transfer deadline day pretty well summed up the mess the Gunners were in.

The image of a forlorn Wenger alone on the bench as Man United ran roughshod over their team will stay long in the memories of Arsenal fans. He has been questioned on his selection, signings and tactics, yet it seems unlikely that he will be shown the door.

Along with Sir Alex at Old Trafford, Wenger's job has long been seen as one of the safest in football. He will be given every chance to turn things around.

Job Prospects: It will be a brave man who decides to sack Wenger. He will stay for as long as he wants, and he won't want to go out on a low.

Alex Mcleish

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A surprising choice perhaps, given Villa's unbeaten start in the league, but the Holte End has yet to warm to Big 'Eck.

His playing style has been labeled boring, and the Villains have been booed off the pitch on more than one occasion this season.

It has been a thankless task for the Scot in many ways. Forced into selling his best players, he has steadied the ship and lies seventh in the league. The Birmingham connection means that there will likely always be sections of the crowd calling for his head.

McLeish shouldn't be too worried about his job though. It is unlikely that Randy Lerner will want to have to appoint a fourth manager in two years. If results keep Villa safely above the drop then the dissenting voices at Villa Park will go unheard until the end of the season.

Job Prospects: Barring a disastrous run of results, McLeish will still be Villa manager at the start of next season.

Owen Coyle

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Coyle's position does not seem under immediate threat, yet Bolton are currently languishing at the foot of the table. The Trotters have been underwhelming in recent defeats against Chelsea, Arsenal and Norwich.

Bolton's next two games against Wigan and Sunderland may do much to shape Coyle's future. Wins in these matches and they will go into fixtures with Swansea, Stoke and West Brom with confidence. Losses will be hard to rebound from and could result in Coyle being shown the door in December.

Coyle does have the advantage of a seemingly reasonable chairman behind him. Phil Gartside hasn't made rash decisions in the past, and is unlikely to sack the man he fought hard to get unless he absolutely has to.

Job Prospects:Good results in the five upcoming games and Coyle's job will be looking fairly secure. Without them, he will find himself in the job centre by the start of December.

Martin Jol

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Martin Jol has has a steady, if unspectacular, start to the season, yet still finds himself high on this list.

Good results in Europe and a 6-0 demolition of QPR at the weekend see Fulham sitting 12th in the league. However, it is behind the scenes where discontent is rumbling about the Dutchman's position.

Last week saw reports leak out suggesting that Fulham's players are less than happy with Jol's squad rotation policy. While it has also been reported that Jol's decision to fine 19-year-old midfielder Pajtim Kasami for missing a penalty has resulted in Fulham players contacting the PFA for help.

Jol needs to keep the club safely away from the foot of the table or these grumblings could turn into something far more problematic.

Job Prospects: Should be safe but needs to stay clear of the relegation zone or player power could force him out.

Steve Bruce

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After heavily reinforcing the squad at some considerable cost over the summer, Sunderland looked set for a strong showing this season.

However, this hasn't been the case. Six points from seven games have seen Bruce's team sitting near the foot of the table from the start.

The 4-0 drubbing of Stoke does little to hide losses to Norwich, fierce rivals Newcastle and Championship side Brighton. Bruce needs to start winning, and he needs to do it fast. However, with a trip to the Emirates this Sunday, that's easier said than done.

With Niall Quinn being replaced as chairman by Ellis Short, there have been reports that the American billionaire may want to bring in a new man, but Sunderland have been quick to rubbish the rumours.

Job Prospects: If Sunderland aren't near the top half of the table come December, expect a new man will be in the dugout at the Stadium of Light.

Steve Kean

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Yes it was obvious, but Steve Kean had to top the list. For weeks there have been fan protests demanding 'Kean out', but Blackburn's Indian owners have so far given him their backing.

Which is why their latest reports will not make happy reading for the Scot. Co-owner Venkatesh Rao told Sky Sports News that "We are going to sit this weekend and we are going to have a very big discussion over this." Statements like that shouldn't soothe any managers nerves.

For weeks now it has seemed to be a question of when, not if, Kean would be sacked. The delay may arise in Blackburn's owners looking for a suitable replacement. Mark Hughes, Martin O'Neill and Alan Shearer are among the favourites.

One thing that does seem sure is that Kean won't be Blackburn manager by Christmas.

Job Prospects: Anything but a win against QPR on Saturday and Kean will be shown the door.