Sam Favourite ... But England Job His Priority

Last updated : 03 February 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor


Sam Allardyce is the favourite with most bookies to become the next permanent Newcastle United manager. The current Bolton boss heads the betting at a best price 9-2 with William Hill.

Martin O'Neill has been backed in from 7-1 to 5-1 best price with Bet365, although Paddy Power are taking no chances on the Irishman with their paltry 7-4 offering.

Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder is rated as an outsider at this stage with Ladbrokes pricing him up as a 16-1 shot, while Alan Shearer supporters can get on at 7-1 with Bet365. Sven-Göran Eriksson is an 8-1 shot with Blue Square and Steve Bruce is available at a top-price 14-1 with Skybet.

Local bookies Pagebet have reported strong support for United's ex-boss Kevin Keegan and have responded by cutting his price from 20-1 to 10-1. The biggest moving price on the opening day of betting also involved Keegan - William Hill opened with a massive 100-1 quote before reducing these odds to just 10-1 on him returning to the Magpies' helm.

There are, of course, a number of novelty names to the running. Just like the time when Sir Bobby Robson was sacked (Graeme Souness being one of them!). Peter Reid is up for grabs at 100-1 with Bet365, Paul Gascoigne is 500-1 with Paddy Power, Ant and Dec are 1000-1 shots with William Hill and the longest price on offer goes to the Geordie Dancer, available at 2000-1 with Skybet!