Antonio Conte manager of the year! Gabby Agbonlahor reacts to 'shocking' Premier League predictions
Gabby Agbonlahor couldn't believe what he was hearing when Jamie O'Hara tipped Antonio Conte to be manager of the season.
The talkSPORT duo were asked to make their predictions ahead of the Premier League season - and they didn't get them all right.
While Aston Villa legend Agbonlahor picked Pep Guardiola as his shout for the top boss, O'Hara's Tottenham allegiance left him with egg on his face.
Ahead of the season, the former White Hart Lane midfielder said: “I’m going to go Conte. I think we’re going to finish third and we’re going to win a trophy.”
Reminded about it as the 2022/23 campaign comes to an end, Agbonlahor seemed to love how wrong his pal got it. "I’ve got to post that. I’m sorry, but I can’t not. That’s the worst shout ever! I’m going to message him now. ‘Is Jamie okay, guys?’"
In fairness to O'Hara, most of his other predictions weren't far from the mark.
Chelsea's displays this season have been a huge surprise for all Premier League supporters, with the Blues set to finish the season in the bottom half.
While no one could have predicted just how low they would finish, O'Hara did disagree with Agbonlahor's suggestion that they would secure a top four finish. "I think Chelsea are going to drop out (of the top four). It’s a big statement, but I think Chelsea drop out. Man United will finish sixth."
Hearing O'Hara's prediction back, the Aston Villa favourite joked: "Jamie was alright with the Chelsea one, but that’s because he doesn’t like them with him being a Spurs man!" As for United's final position, he was close though Erik ten Hag has masterminded their Champions League return.
Both O'Hara and Agbonlahor's predictions for the top four weren't far off being correct, although both suggested Liverpool would finish second - and no one expected Newcastle to reach the top six.
Meanwhile, both suggested Leeds and Bournemouth might face the drop.
However, Agbonlahor couldn't believe what he was hearing when the ex-Spurs man tipped Europa League qualifiers, Brighton, to have 'a wobble'.
"Leeds is alright. I think they will finish eighteenth, also, the Bournemouth one was fair because of how Scott Parker was talking [at the start of the season]. Everyone wrote them off because Parker said they weren’t good enough.
“Brighton though, that’s shocking! Jamie, honestly." He then joked: "Who lets Jamie talk about football?”
Here's how the rest of O'Hara and Agbonlahor's predictions played out.
Champions
O'Hara: Manchester City
Agbonlahor: Manchester City
Runners up
O'Hara: Liverpool
Agbonlahor: Liverpool
Top four
O'Hara: Tottenham third, Arsenal fourth.
Agbonlahor: Tottenham third, Chelsea fourth
Top six
O'Hara: Chelsea fifth, Manchester United sixth
Agbonlahor: Arsenal fifth, Manchester United sixth
Relegated
O'Hara: Brighton, Leeds, Bournemouth
Agbonlahor: Leeds, Bournemouth, Fulham
Underachievers
O'Hara: Wolves
Agbonlahor: West Ham
Overachievers
O'Hara: Nottingham Forest
Agbonlahor: Nottingham Forest
Manager of the season
O'Hara: Antonio Conte [Tottenham]
Agbonlahor: Pep Guardiola [Manchester City]
Best new signing
O'Hara: Gabriel Jesus [Arsenal]
Agbonlahor: Erling Haaland [Manchester City]
