By Phil McNulty Chief football writer

Hoddle heads the bookies' hit-list

Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri may be wielding the Premiership's fattest cheque book - but is he skating on the thinnest ice when it comes to keeping his job?

Roman Abramovich's millions may attract the brightest stars, but they also attract high-intensity pressure.

And this is why Ranieri stands alongside capital counterpart Glenn Hoddle at Spurs in the managerial sack race.

William Hill have delivered their traditional annual odds on which manager has the best chance of keeping his job - and those who may face an enforced early exit.

Here are the odds and the reasons why they are being offered as the cut-throat world of Premiership management prepares for another season:

Claudio Ranieri and Glenn Hoddle (4-1)
Ranieri is in the frame because with money comes pressure - as well as the massive expectations of billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

If Ranieri does not deliver a swift return on the huge investment he will be in trouble.

Spurs boss Hoddle was under severe pressure after a dismal end to last season and rumours of dressing-room unrest.

Teddy Sheringham led the departures, and fresh faces Helder Postiga and Bobby Zamora will be expected to give Hoddle the good start he desperately needs.

Chris Coleman (5-1)
Rookie boss Coleman kept Fulham in the Premiership after taking over from Jean Tigana following his sacking last season. He must maintain that momentum and keep Fulham away from the Premiership basement to keep the wolves at bay.

Kevin Keegan and Gerard Houllier (8-1)
Manchester City boss Keegan's unpredictability can be the only reason for the short odds after a season of successful consolidation in the Premiership.

City are in a new stadium and still have Nicolas Anelka. They would have to stall spectacularly for Keegan to lose his job.

Keegan's job looks secure

Houllier was under fire at the end of last season after Liverpool failed to make the Champions League and he will be expected to make a title challenge this term.

But he, above all others, knows that and Liverpool's board have shown their faith by backing the purchases of Harry Kewell and Steve Finnan.

Micky Adams (9-1)
Tough call on the Leicester boss, who has just signed a new three-year contract and has been forced to deal in the bargain basement.

Leicester would virtually have to go into meltdown for Adams' future to be questioned.

Peter Reid (11-1)
Leeds boss Reid has to try and engineer results while stopping the fastest revolving door in football. If Reid keeps Leeds in mid-table the bookies should not be troubled.

Sam Allardyce and David O'Leary (14-1)
Bolton's Allardyce is one of the Premiership's great survival experts, but will hope to be out of the strait jacket and into mid-table this term.

O'Leary has only just taken over at Aston Villa and the odds reflect the reputation of chairman Doug Ellis as opposed to a potential struggle for the manager.

Graeme Souness (16-1)
Souness has done an excellent job at Blackburn Rovers and it would take a spectacular collapse for his job to be threatened.

Alan Curbishley, Harry Redknapp, Steve McClaren (20-1)
We are entering safe territory now. Charlton's Curbishley and Middlesbrough counterpart McClaren are coveted by their clubs and regarded among England's brightest young managerial talents. Redknapp is safe at Pompey and remains a shrewd operator.

Steve Bruce, David Jones, Sir Bobby Robson, Gordon Strachan (25-1)
Bruce has agreed a new five-year contract at Birmingham, while Robson and Strachan are success stories at their clubs. Dave Jones needs to maintain his success at Wolves, a club forever in the grip of massive expectation.

David Moyes (33-1)
Moyes was last season's manager of the year for his achievements in guiding Everton to seventh place. Everton would tie him to a lifetime's contract if they could.

Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson (40-1)
Keep your money in your pocket.