Why Alan Pardew Will Be the First Premier League Manager Sacked This Season

It’s the race no-one wants to win.

The "sack race" is second only to the "managerial merry-go-round" when it comes to coaching cliches. Every year, the Premier League waits nervously to see which manager will be the season’s first victim of pressure and poor form. In the stands and television studios, out-of-work managers sit like carrion waiting for a kill.

There are several anxious candidates heading in to 2013/14. Martin Jol will be aware that his Fulham team can not afford another period of midseason free-fall under ambitious new owner Shahid Khan. Similarly, the controversial Paolo Di Canio will know that he must quickly make his clutch of new signings gel if he is to be given time to settle at Sunderland.

Promoted managers are always quickly under pressure. No sooner have they celebrated the delight of reaching the Premier League than they are sweating under the strain of a relegation scrap. Ian Holloway, Steve Bruce and Malky Mackay will all know that a poor start could see them plummet from unencumbered joy to unemployment.

However, there is one manager who is particularly close to the precipice: Alan Pardew. The Newcastle manager is the bookies’ favourite to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job, and it’s easy to see why.

Pardew is under pressure based partly on last season’s poor performance. After finishing in a hugely impressive fifth place two seasons ago, 2012/13 was something of a disaster for Newcastle. The Toon Army finished in 16th position, just five points clear of the relegation zone. They also suffered a humbling defeat to neighbours Sunderland which almost saw them relegated at the Mackems’ expense.

The pressure on Pardew was cranked up an extra notch when Mike Ashley appointed Joe Kinnear as director of football. In many ways it was a surprise that Pardew didn’t resign immediately, as the appointment patently undermined his influence.

Taking away responsibility for handling transfers has castrated Pardew. The manager will not have failed to notice that Ashley is yet to back him with significant funds in this transfer window.

Kinnear is also a former Newcastle manager and could have his eyes on securing the top job once again. If Pardew fails to perform, Kinnear will be ready to pounce.

Speaking to The Sun, Pardew has insisted he will not walk away from the job:

"

I won’t run away. I won’t hide.

When we finished fifth, I didn’t have to show too many sides of my character because the team was doing well.

A lot of adulation came our way and the momentum was with us.

Last year, I couldn’t have had any more turmoil put in front of me with injuries and the Europa League, but I think I showed the fans that I am resilient.

"

Pardew may not be preparing to run or hide, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be forced out. The spectre of Kinnear looms large.

For all his bluster, Pardew must see that the writing is on the wall.