LIVERPOOL FANS CHOOSE KLOPP’S SUCCESSOR AND SET EXPECTATIONS FOR REST OF THE SEASON
Xabi Alonso is the overwhelming favourite among Liverpool fans to succeed Jurgen Klopp as manager next season, a survey revealed.
Klopp announced he would be leaving in the summer after nine successful years at Anfield. The German coach admitted that he was feeling exhausted and is looking to take a break from football.
A Sky Bet Fan View survey, conducted by YouGov, has revealed that Alonso, 42, is the coach Liverpool supporters most want to succeed Klopp when he steps down in the summer. Almost two-thirds (62%) said Alonso was their first choice to take over next season.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was second favourite to succeed Klopp with a fifth (18%) of the vote, but this was still some way off his former team-mate Alonso.
Here is supporters’ full vote for Liverpool’s next permanent manager:
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said:
“For me, if we’re talking about who should come in, I think it should be Xabi Alonso. He is very inexperienced in management, having managed just sixty or seventy games, but what you would have straight away is the club on side.
“Not just because he’s an ex-Liverpool player, but because of the respect he had as a player and what he’s done at Bayern Leverkusen within eighteen months is remarkable.”
Jurgen Klopp has won seven trophies during his time on Merseyside and Liverpool fans are expecting him to sign off with at least two more. Liverpool are still involved in four competitions this season, and almost three-quarters (73%) of supporters believe they will win at least two of them.
An optimistic 6% said they think Liverpool will go on to secure a quadruple of Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League.
Sky Bet Fan View also revealed the pressure the next Liverpool coach might be under next season. When asked where they expect Liverpool to finish in the Premier League in 24/25, 56% of Liverpool supporters said the club should be challenging for the title, with 7% even saying runaway winners.
Whoever takes over from Klopp will have a huge job on their hands, but wider Premier League fans expect Liverpool to remain a top team in Europe even after the German leaves.
73% of supporters believe Liverpool will remain among the elite even without their legendary manager.
SKY BET REWARD FANS WITH LIMITED-EDITION LGBTQ+ RAINBOW FOOTBALLS
Sky Bet, the title sponsor of the EFL, are giving away 10 limited-edition Rainbow Balls to celebrate and reward commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity in football fandom.
Last week, the EFL and PUMA marked LGBTQ+ History Month by unveiling the very first Rainbow match ball to be used in English professional football, which has featured in all Sky Bet EFL fixtures from February 16, until tomorrow – February 24.
The PUMA ORBITA Rainbow Ball design includes the rainbow and progress colours, symbolising that football is for everyone and representing the League’s active support for inclusion throughout the game.
As part of their For The Fans campaign, Sky Bet asked Clubs across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two competitions, to nominate fans for the positive work they have done in their local LGBTQ+ community.
Five fans have received a limited-edition Rainbow Ball courtesy of Sky Bet. They are:
Richard Young, QPR fan and Rainbow Rangers Chairperson.
Richard is the Chairperson of Rainbow Rangers, and since stepping into the role less than 18 months ago has been working tirelessly towards LGBTQ+ acceptance and inclusion in football.
He has given up his own time to deliver staff and player workshops across the club and last year interviewed our then Director of Football, Les Ferdinand who spoke openly about discrimination in the game. On matchdays Richard organises social meet ups not only with Rainbow Rangers members but also the opposing team supporters’ groups.
Lydia Loughran, Huddersfield Town season ticket holder and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Lydia has been particularly proactive and helpful in terms of supporting Huddersfield’s ‘Proud About Town’ LGBTQ+ group and helping them through the early stages of developing this group.
Lauren Revill, an apprentice to Ipswich Town’s LGBTQ+ Foundation.
In her short, but impactful time at Ipswich Town so far, Lauren has successfully played a part in launching a newly released LGBTQ+ football session, held on Tuesday evenings at Portman Road. Lauren leads these sessions, and as such, has created an inclusive and safe environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies to enjoy playing football.
Kieran Halpin-Danby, lead of Mansfield Town’s LGBTQ+ group Proud Stags.
Kieran has continued to lead Mansfield Town’s Proud Stags LGBTQ+ group in the past year/season, actively promoting their work on social media. He also conducted an excellent interview with club captain Ollie Clarke earlier this year and discussed a range of topics, including LGBTQ+.
Peter Wilton, co-founder of the Proud Hornets supporters’ group.
From the moment Peter wrote to Watford in 2016 asking why we had no LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, he has led from the front in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity, accepting the challenge to start the group himself with the club’s support. Proud Hornets quickly grew in numbers and thanks to Peter’s drive and dedication, they have become one of the most prominent groups in Watford’s supporter base, with members meeting regularly on matchdays and for social events.
Sky Bet are giving five more limited-edition Rainbow Balls away on X (formerly Twitter).
Fans can enter by nominating themselves or someone else for their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity in football.
You can enter now here: [LINK WHEN POST LIVE]
Ts & Cs apply. 18+.
ONE-THIRD (33%) OF PREMIER LEAGUE FANS NOW BACK LIVERPOOL FOR THE TITLE
A third (33%) of Premier League fans now believe Liverpool will win the league, a recent survey has revealed.
Only 6% of fans thought Jurgen Klopp’s men would win the title at the start of the season, but with the reds now sitting top of the table with a new look midfield, many have changed their mind.
Sky Bet Fan Hope Survey asked fans of all 20 Premier League clubs who they thought would win the league, and while Manchester City are still favourites, Liverpool’s title bid is gaining momentum with every passing week.
44% of fans expect Pep Guardiola’s City to clinch a fourth straight league title, but this is much lower than the 65% that backed them at the start of the season.
City’s form has stuttered by their standards and Liverpool look back to their scintillating best. Kevin De Bruyne’s return will be a huge boost to the Cityzens and Mo Salah’s absence could prove pivotal as we move into a crucial stage of the title race.
30% of Premier League fans had Arsenal down to win the league in mid-December, but just one win in five matches for the Gunners has meant less than one-in-10 (9%) see them as champions.
6% are backing Unai Emery’s Villa to lift the title in May. The Villains were 250/1 to win the league at the start of the season but have kept pace at the top so far.
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published on Sky Bet’s Fan Central.
LESS THAN A QUARTER (24%) OF UNITED FANS THINK TEN HAG IS DOING A GOOD JOB
Just 24% of Manchester United fans believe Erik Ten Hag is doing a good job in charge of the club, a huge fall from 77% at the start of the season.
United have won just one of their last five games as pressure continues to mount on the Dutchman. Their one win came over title challengers Villa in December but has done very little to sway the discontent around the club.
Sky Bet Fan Hope Survey asked Manchester United fans about their feelings towards the manager, the board and where they think they will finish this season. 32% of United fans think Ten Hag is doing a bad job, the highest it has been since mid-October.
Their poor form and a defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out has meant optimism around Old Trafford is the lowest it’s been all season. United fans now predict their side to finish 7th, missing out on Champions League and Europe League.
This would be United’s joint lowest league finish since the 89/90 season. The Red Devils face a tough challenge vs Tottenham before the short winter break.
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published on Sky Bet’s Fan Central.
POCHETTINO WINS BACK CHELSEA FANS AND RESTORES OPTIMISM AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
Mauricio Pochettino has won back the support of Chelsea fans after his side beat Tottenham and went stride for stride with Manchester City.
Just over a quarter (27%) of Chelsea fans believed Pochettino was doing a good job in mid-November, but two good performances and the form of Cole Palmer has changed the mood in West London.
70% of Chelsea fans now think Pochettino is doing a good job as we move towards a busy December period, showing how much can change in a matter of weeks.
The Chelsea boss hasn’t just restored faith amongst fans, he has increased optimism around the club. 67% of Chelsea fans are now feeling optimistic about the future, a massive increase from 43% in mid-November.
The Blues have a tough run of fixtures coming up that includes Newcastle, Manchester United, Brighton and an EFL Cup quarter final. They will be hoping to continue where they left off before the international break.
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published on Sky Bet’s Fan Central.
BURNLEY FANS LOSING FAITH IN VINCENT KOMPANY AS POOR RUN OF FORM CONTINUES
Just 17% of Burnley fans think Vincent Kompany is doing a good job, a massive fall from 77% at the start of October.
Pressure is increasing on The Claret’s boss following a string of poor results that included a costly defeat to Bournemouth. Burnley currently sit bottom of the Premier League, five points adrift from safety.
Despite shaking faith in their manager, the majority of Burnley fans are happy and optimistic about the future.
47% of fans said they’re happy with the club’s current situation, and 43% are looking forward to the future. Burnley have a huge game coming up against Sheffield United on 2nd December that kicks off a busy Christmas period.
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published on Sky Bet’s Fan Central.
O’NEIL IMPRESSES AT WOLVES AS BOURNEMOUTH FANS LOSE FAITH IN IRAOLA
A win against Manchester City and point vs Villa have increased Wolves fans confidence in manager Gary O’Neil.
After a difficult start to the season, Wolves have picked up 4 points from a possible 6 and fans have renewed faith in their manager. 60% now believe he is doing a good job in charge, a massive increase from the end of September (20%).
There is a positive feeling around Molineux following improved results and the incredible form of Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan. 70% of Wolves fans are now optimistic about the future of the club.
The latest data from the Sky Bet Fan Tracker tells a different story at O’Neil’s former club Bournemouth. Three defeats in a row have caused Bournemouth fans to lose faith in manager Andoni Iraola for the first time this season.
52% are unhappy with the job he is doing, a dramatic increase from 23% at the end of September. Bournemouth will be hoping a favourable fixture at home to Burnley after the international break will be an opportunity to turn their form around.
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published right her on Sky Bet Fan Central.
UNITED FANS UNHAPPY WITH TEN HAG FOLLOWING A SERIES OF POOR PERFORMANCES
The majority of Manchester United fans are unhappy with the job Erik Ten Hag is doing, according to latest data from the Sky Bet Fan Tracker.
A narrow 2-1-win vs Brentford has done very little to sway United fans discontent with recent performances, with defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray damaging the faith fans have in their manager.
43% of United fans believe Ten Hag is doing a bad job this season, while just 20% said they think he is doing well. Manchester United currently sit 10th in the Premier League, way below where fans predicted them to finish at the start of the season (3rd).
Optimism around the club has fallen dramatically, with fans now predicting United to finish outside of the top four (6th).
United fan’s frustrations with the board increased in October. Almost 9 in 10 (87%) believe the board are doing a poor job of running the club, an increase from the end of September (69%).
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published right here on Sky Bet Fan Central.
CHELSEA FANS PREDICT A TOP FOUR FINISH AS SURVEY REVEALS RESTORED FAITH IN POCHETTINO
Chelsea fans predict their team to finish in the top four, following a recent upturn in results.
The blues picked up back-to-back wins for the first time this season, beating Fulham and Burnley away from home. The positive performances have dramatically changed the feeling around Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fans had begun to turn on Pochettino at the end of September, with 45% saying he was doing a poor job. This has drastically changed after two wins on the road, with just 7% of fans now believing he is doing a bad job as we approach mid-October.
Recent performances have even managed to restore faith in the board. 53% of Chelsea fans are happy with how the board are running the club, the highest it has been all season.
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published right here on Sky Bet Fan Central.
ALMOST A QUARTER OF PREM FANS NOW BELIEVE ARSENAL WILL WIN THE LEAGUE
22% of fans of Premier League clubs now believe Arsenal will win the league, a huge rise from 5% at the end of September. There is a growing confidence in the Gunners following their impressive 1-0 victory over Manchester City at the Emirates.
Manchester City dominated the vote last time out, but optimism around the Etihad seems to have dwindled following defeats to Wolves and Arsenal. City are still favourites for the title, but 53% of Premier League fans now think they will win the league, a big drop off from the end of September (78%).
Liverpool are still football fans outside pick for the league, with 7% predicting them to lift the title.
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published right here on Sky Bet Fan Central.
Newcastle have replaced Spurs in the Big Six, say Premier League fans
NEWCASTLE have replaced Tottenham in the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’, according to top-flight fans.
Spurs have traditionally been part of a powerhouse group of six clubs at the top of English football, along with rivals Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs.
But last year’s disastrous campaign which saw them finish eighth, coupled with the rise of Saudi-backed Newcastle, appears to have brought about a changing of the guard.
Supporters from all 20 Premier League clubs were asked to rate each side’s chances of finishing in the top six as part of Sky Bet’s Fan Hope Survey for 2023.
Eddie Howe’s Toon, fresh off making the Champions League last term, returned a confident score of 64 per cent likely to make it, up 17 per cent on last year.
While Spurs were just 39 per cent, down from 78 per cent 12 months ago.
The Magpies were given a 34 per cent chance of qualifying for the Champions League again, in contrast to just nine per cent for Spurs.
It all points towards a change in how the two clubs are now viewed – and Spurs fans seem to know it too.
Asked to rank out of ten how optimistic they are of the new season, Tottenham fans came back with a lowly 5.3, while their faith that new boss Ange Postecoglou is the right man to take them forward was the least convincing in the whole league.
BURNLEY FANS LOSING FAITH IN VINCENT KOMPANY AS POOR RUN OF FORM CONTINUES
Just 17% of Burnley fans think Vincent Kompany is doing a good job, a massive fall from 77% at the start of October.
Pressure is increasing on The Claret’s boss following a string of poor results that included a costly defeat to Bournemouth. Burnley currently sit bottom of the Premier League, five points adrift from safety.
Despite shaking faith in their manager, the majority of Burnley fans are happy and optimistic about the future.
47% of fans said they’re happy with the club’s current situation, and 43% are looking forward to the future. Burnley have a huge game coming up against Sheffield United on 2nd December that kicks off a busy Christmas period.
Sky Bet’s Fan Tracker tracks the opinions and feelings of fans of all 20 Premier League clubs throughout the season on a range of key issues, from managerial & board satisfaction ratings to optimism and their final league position.
Every fortnight, new data is sourced from YouGov’s verified online community of football fans, with interactive results published on Sky Bet’s Fan Central.