Pressure cranked up on Norwich’s Chris Hughton in sack race

Norwich City boss Chris Hughton is now the even-money favourite in Coral’s next Premier League manager to leave market after being told to improve the fortunes of the East Anglia outfit.

The Canaries are the top flight’s join-second lowest scorers with Cardiff City – only Crystal Palace have found the net less often.

Coupled with one win in the last 11 league games, Norwich have slipped to just a point above the relegation zone, with an inferior goal difference to every club apart from Fulham and the Bluebirds.

“We are too close for comfort,” Canaries chief executive David McNally said in a radio interview.

“Chris has been told in no uncertain terms ‘get us out of that position and keep us out’. But equally, we’re three points off 10th.”

“As far as giving any certainty for Chris, or anyone else – it’s a results business. The whole board is aware of the strength of feeling from the support.”

There have been calls from some sections of the Carrow Road faithful to fire Hughton, who joined Norwich from Championship club Birmingham City in the summer of 2012.

Rene Meulensteen’s axing at Fulham has thus moved him up to favourite in the sack race.

Alan Curbishley and Ray Wilkins have also lost backroom jobs at Craven Cottage following the appointment of former Bayern Munich boss Felix Magath. Hughton’s side are 6/4 for the drop behind odds-on pair Cardiff and Fulham in the betting.

Coral are offering special odds on long-time Charlton Athletic and ex-West Ham coach Curbishley working in the Premier League again.

He is a 5/1 shot to manage in the top-flight once more and 25/1 to be in charge of any team come the start of next season.

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is now the 4/1 second-favourite to leave his post next behind Hughton because of recent poor performances at St James’ Park.

Swansea interim head coach Garry Monk and Aston Villa gaffer Paul Lambert follow them at 8/1 and 11/1 respectively.