Managerial Merry-Go-Round

November 28, 2007 - Ashley Wishaw With Alex McLeish, Paul Jewell and Steve Bruce all unveiled in new jobs this week, you would have thought things would have died down in the managerial merry-go round.

Not so. The Sun revealed that former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had issued a come-and-get me plea to the FA via the newspaper and as a result, bookmakers were inundated with trade for the Special One to become the next England manager.

Ladbrokes went 7-4 from 4-1, while VCbet were cowering in a corner after punters forced down Mourinho's price to 5-4 from 5-1 with the firm.

Former Real Madrid gaffer Fabio Capello remains a strong second favourite at 4-1 with Paddy Power, while Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp was the strongest British contender at 7-1 before he was arrested by police.

Martin O'Neill is next best at 10-1 with Stan James.

Terry Venables has also attracted interest from punters and Ladbrokes reported that the former England coach had been supported heavily to become the next Republic of Ireland manager.

Venables is long-odds on with the firm and at 4-7, there will be few out there ready to put their hard-earned on El Tel. The firm's spokesman, Robin Hutchison said: "Venables is more popular than Guinness at the moment and there will be a fair few bookies crying into their pints if he ends up with the gig."

Totesport has issued prices on which of the newly-appointed managers will pick up the most points  in their respective jobs. McLeish's Birmingham is favourite to pick up the most at 4-5, while Paul Jewell is the outsider at 4-1 to lead Derby to the most points. Steve Bruce's Wigan are 7-4.

The firm have also issued a price of 7-2 for all three to be relegated.

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