The managers that will suffer the axe in 2006 are:

Graeme Souness, Newcastle. How he’s survived this long, I have no idea. The Scot who should have gotten the axe before the season even started will finally get the pink slip after Newcastle’s season fizzles to a halt. The Tyneside club have had a severe problem in the back for years now, and even with new players brought in, this hasn’t stopped.

Steve McClaren, Middlesbrough. Falling attendances, lack of passion on the pitch. The Boro fans deserve more and could tap into the foreign market for a more exciting manager.

David Moyes, Everton. The Toffee’s patience has to run out sooner or later.

I predict that Mick McCarthy will keep his job. After all, he’s doing the best he can with what he has. And Steve Bruce, although he should have been sacked ages ago, will keep his job simply because if the board haven’t sacked him already, they’re not going to do so for quite a while.