Sam Allardyce has been installed favourite to be the next permanent manager of Sunderland.
Allardyce, a former Sunderland player who has gone on to manage Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United, is quoted at 4-1 by Paddy Power, with Gordon Strachan (5-1) and Alan Curbishley (6-1) also prominent in the market. Niall Quinn, the club chairman, is chalked up at 100-1.
Keane parted company with Sunderland this morning and his departure has prompted Paddy Power to cut the odds on the Black Cats being relegated to 2-1. They have lost five of their past six league matches and were woeful when losing 4-1 at home to Bolton last Saturday.
Paddy Power do not believe that Keane will be out of the spotlight for long, though, and have begun betting on what his next post will be. They make the former Manchester United midfielder just 5-2 to take over as manager as Celtic, followed by Nottingham Forest at 5-1. They are followed by the Irish national job at 6-1, with Manchester United 9-1 and Cobh Ramblers among the outsiders at 66-1.
Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “Just as managerial betting markets were getting a bit quiet, you can rely on Roy Keane to shake things up. His next job and likely destination should prove very popular markets such is the interest that always follows him.
“Sam Allardyce seems to be an unpopular name amongst any clubs’ fans when he is linked to their management post but as a former Sunderland player he is the early favourite for Black Cat fans to consider.”
Paddy Power’s Sunderland Betting: Next Permanent Sunderland Manager:
4-1 Allardyce
5-1 Strachan
6-1 Curbishley
8-1 Brown
12-1 Bilic
12-1 Martinez
18-1 O’Leary
18-1 McCarthy
20-1 Venables
20-1 Houllier
20-1 Hoddle
22-1 Gullit
22-1 Rijkaard
22-1 Jol
22-1 Grant
25-1 Eriksson
100-1 Niall Quinn
200-1 Eamon Dunphy
Where Will Keane Manage Next?
5-2 Celtic
5-1 Nottm Forest
6-1 Ireland
9-1 Man Utd
14-1 Blackburn
16-1 Newcastle
16-1 Portsmouth
16-1 Bolton
20-1 West Ham
22-1 Everton
22-1 Fulham
25-1 West Brom
66-1 Cobh Ramblers
