The ink was barely dry on Gareth Southgate’s resignation letter to the Football Assocation before the bookmakers were pricing up the candidates to replace him. Now, just as quickly, the odds have been released as to the next managerial position the Three Lions manager will hold.
It wouldn’t be a shock if Southgate doesn’t decide to take a long break from the beautiful game and although there will be plenty of offers open to him to become a television analyst during September’s Nations League group matches, it may be that he doesn’t feel it is right to heap even constructive criticism in the direction of his successor.
Manchester United are the 2/1 favourites with Paddy Power and Betfair to be his next port of call, though, as they have often been linked with a move for Southgate to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman, however, has signed a extension after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final and will be given a bit of a leash moving forward.
Newcastle are 6/1 with the same firms, presumably under the assumption that the Magpies would swoop for Southgate if Eddie Howe heads in the opposition direction, but that looks a stretch.
Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are next in the betting at 10/1 and 12/1 respectively but they look well set for the foreseeable future and in any case, Southgate’s cautious style may not be welcomed at two of his former clubs unless he’s called in to to help a club in relegation trouble.
It’s possible he could move abroad to work in Serie A or the Bundesliga and while relatively few English managers are known for gaining employment overseas it worked for Sir Bobby Robson – after his own eight-year spell in charge of England – Terry Venables and more recently Graham Potter, a leading candidate for the Three Lions vacancy, among others.
Southgate is a shrewd, educated bloke and he’s apparently been learning to speak German but let’s not put two and two together and make funf.
His best bet and the earliest opportunity for him to land a new job could be at Fulham if they fail to make a bright start to the new Premier League season, and that’s 25/1 with the aforementioned bookies, but don’t go throwing all your euros at it.
• Two of the four Crystal Palace players who were part of the England squad at the European Championship are being linked with moves away from Selhurst Park this summer and both are in high demand. Centre-half Marc Guehi is actually evens with bet365 to stay with the Eagles but he could be heading to Liverpool and the 4/1 on a move to Anfield priced by the same firm appeals more. Eberechi Eze is odds on with several firms to cross London and join Tottenham but that prospect is 2/1 with BetMGM.
• Major League Baseball has returned to the pitching mound after the All-Star break and the Cleveland Guardians are 4/6 favourites with Paddy Power and Betfair to win the American League Central Division after jumping off to a record of 59 wins and 38 losses.
MORE : Newcastle identify Eddie Howe replacement if he leaves for England
MORE : Erik ten Hag names Man Utd star who must step up after ‘bad times’
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