Vincent Kompany would be the best wrestler out of all the Premier League managers, experts have said.
The Burnley boss would be the last man standing if they had a Royal Rumble in the ring.
He came out top of a study alongside Luton Town gaffer Robert Edwards – a fellow ex-central defender hardman.
Ex-Clarets chief Sean Dyche was ranked third, followed by Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp.
- Advertisement -
Paul Heckingbottom, in the dugout for Sheffield United, completed the top five.
Unsurprisingly, 75-year-old Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson would be the first to tap out.
SportsLens compiled odds on the fictitious wrestling match.
Kompany and Edwards were both 7/1, Sean Dyche was 10/1, Jurgen Klopp 14/1 and Paul Heckingbottom 16/1.
Lee Astley, SportsLens Head of News said: “Vincent Kompany was well known for being a hard man in his playing days and having only retired in the last few years will surely be a force to be reckoned with.
- Advertisement -
“Sean Dyche is another manager who wouldn’t look out of place in a wrestling ring and I reckon he would fancy his chances of being the last man standing.
“The likes of Jurgen Klopp and David Moyes are past their peak now in terms of physicality, so would have to rely on experience and perhaps even some bending of the rules if they were to stand a chance in the Premier League Royal Rumble.”
Brentford’s Thomas Frank was sixth, 16/1, followed by Chelsea’s Mauricio Pochettino, Man City’s Pep Guardiola, Man Utd’s Erik ten Hag and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, all 25/1.
- Advertisement -
Also at the same price were Bournemouth’s Androni Iraola, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, West Ham’s David Moyes, Spurs‘ Ange Postecoglou, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Wolves’ Julian Lopetegui and Fulham’s Marco Silva.
In second to last place is Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper, 33/1, with Roy Hodgson a massive 500/1.
A SportsLens spokesperson said: “Belgian powerhouse Kompany took no prisoners during his trophy-laden career and the 6’3″ behemoth would have a huge physical advantage over the likes of David Moyes, 60 and Unai Emery, 51, in the squared circle.
“Luton manager Robert Edwards led his side to playoff glory last season to reach the Premier League and the Welshman is also priced at 7/1 alongside Kompany to emerge victorious in the ring.”
The spokesperson added: “Testosterone levels in the top flight are invariably through the roof with the likes of Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag, 25/1, going hell for leather on the touchline but their odds suggest they won’t be much trouble in the ring.
“With plenty of bad blood between the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino gunning for revenge on former club Tottenham, a Premier League Royal Rumble would certainly sort the managerial men from the boys.
“The Arsenal boss is looking to go one better this season after pushing Man City to the brink and the Spaniard would surely have some wily tactics in the ring, making him a good outside chance at 25/1.
“Tottenham manager and Prem newcomer Ange Postecoglou is something of an unknown quantity, much like the Undertaker was when he shocked the world on his WWF debut at Survivor Series way back in 1990.
“Whether Postecoglou has the same impact remains to be seen but the Aussie could be worth a look to continue his silverware streak that began at Celtic at 25/1.”
Premier League Manager Royal Rumble Odds
· Vincent Kompany – 7/1
· Robert Edwards – 7/1
· Sean Dyche – 10/1
· Jurgen Klopp – 14/1
· Paul Heckingbottom – 16/1
· Thomas Frank – 16/1
· Mauricio Pochettino – 25/1
· Pep Guardiola – 25/1
· Erik ten Hag – 25/1
· Roberto De Zerbi – 25/1
· Androni Iraola – 25/1
· Mikel Arteta – 25/1
· David Moyes – 25-1
· Ange Postecoglou – 25/1
· Unai Emery – 25-1
· Julian Lopetegui – 25/1
· Marco Silva – 25/1
· Steve Cooper – 33/1
· Roy Hodgson – 500/1
Read the full article here