As the football season starts the home stretch, we look at some potential summer sackings and which managers will walk out the exit door...

Joe Kinnear

Kinnear's initial appointment as Newcastle boss was one of the most surprising managerial choices of recent times. The Toon was rocked when King Kev walked out in September 2008. There was an air of funereal feeling on Tyneside as grown men cried their eyes out and grief-stricken Geordies walked the streets looking dumfounded. In the aftermath the country waited to see who would take-up the poisoned chalice. Enter the all-singing, all-swearing Joe Kinnear. That's right, in their wisdom Newcastle chose someone who had been out of the game for four years and had a history of heart problems as the man to take on one of the most highly-pressured positions in football. Kinnear's time in charge of Newcastle has not been bereft of incident. Who could forget that press conference in which he unleashed a tirade of verbal abuse at journalists, calling the Daily Mirror's Simon Bird a “****” and swearing 52 times. Then there was the “Charles Insomnia” affair and the sale of Shay Given. On the pitch, Newcastle have struggled this season, spending most of their time in a relegation battle from which they are still very much involved. Perversely the week Kinnear went to hospital, Newcastle won 3-2 and have since drawn 0-0 with Everton. Now it is surely only a matter of time before Kinnear steps down. He was appointed as a stop-gap measure and his unfortunate ill-health will no doubt result in Newcastle looking for yet another manager. Keegan anyone?

Verdict: Will leave in May by mutual consent.

Gareth Southgate

It's a sad state of affairs when Steve McClaren has out-managed you. Southgate may be a promising young English manager but he has surely taken Boro as far as he can. In Southgate's two seasons as manager, Middlesbrough have finished 12th and 13th, and this year they are certain relegation contenders. Even the “Wally with Brolly” took Boro to the UEFA Cup Final, a feat that is seemingly light years away from Southgate's current crop of no-hopers. Southgate may have been a great servant to the club, but in today's cutthroat world of managerial musical chairs, results are paramount.

Verdict: Another mid table finish will not be good enough to save him.

Rafael Benitez

It's ironic that speculation continues to surround Rafael Benitez in the very season that his side launched their most effective title challenge in generations. And yet despite Liverpool's early promise, results have soured of late. In his frustration Rafa has taken a leaf out of Arsene Wenger's book and started to blame everyone else for his side's shortcomings. The Spaniard has already vented his frustration at the press, the owners, the officials, and has cited his injury problems, the lack of quality in-depth and Sir Alex Ferguson for his reasons why things are going wrong. Also, the controversy over Benitez's contract has been an unsettling factor on Merseyside, and the manager's constant warring with the owners could see the end of Rafa's reign. If Liverpool go out of Europe to Real Madrid, and fall behind Chelsea in the league, there's more than an outside chance that Benitez may have had enough.

Verdict: Unlikely to leave, but if Liverpool do implode the Spaniard may well walk alone.

Mark Hughes

Manchester City may be finding a bit of form in the Premier League, but you would not expect a side with likes of Robinho, Wright-Phillips and Bellamy to be losing to the likes of Portsmouth, Stoke and West Brom. There is no doubt that Hughes' side have underperformed, and while the Welshman has taken steps to shore up their defence, his job is surely in danger when you consider the amount of money behind City's Sheikh and the big name managers he could afford to bring in. Hughes has been quick to point out that if City finish 7th it will their highest ever finish in the Premier League, but after investing £120 million they should have done better.

Verdict: Unless the owners are feeling generous, Hughes will be clearing his desk.

And in the Championship...

Neil Warnock

2009 has been miserable for Crystal Palace fans. The Eagles are in free fall, having lost four out of their last five league games - including a 1-0 defeat at the hands of rock bottom Charlton. To make matters worse they also crashed out of the FA Cup to rivals Watford. Before Christmas, Palace fans were sceptical of Neil Warnock. Now they just don't like him. The boo boys have truly descended on Selhurst Park and Warnock, like sand slipping through an hour glass, is running out of time. Only ten points above the relegation zone, if Palace can't plug the gaps, then they will be in serious trouble – and Warnock won't have Carlos Tevez to blame this time.

Verdict: Another few bad results and Warnock will be facing the chop.