Newcastle next manager odds: Benitez favourite if Bruce is sacked, Hughes odds slashed, Pearson & Ranieri enter the mix
RAFA BENITEZ is the outright favourite to be appointed Newcastle’s next permanent manager. That’s according to odds supplied by bookmakers Betfair, who’ve slashed the price on Rafa returning to St. James’ Park from 4/1 to just 6/4! BETFAIR NEW CUSTOMER OFFER: BET £5 GET £20* The shift in odds has been sparked by Benitez’s decision to […]
RAFA BENITEZ is the outright favourite to be appointed Newcastle’s next permanent manager.
That’s according to odds supplied by bookmakers Betfair, who’ve slashed the price on Rafa returning to St. James’ Park from 4/1 to just 6/4!
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The shift in odds has been sparked by Benitez’s decision to leave his role as boss of Dalian Professional after 18 months in charge.
The 60-year-old veteran manager rejected a two-year contract renewal at the Chinese Super League club, citing family reasons.
Now back with his family on Merseyside – Benitez is weighing up his options.
The former Liverpool boss guided Newcastle to the Championship title and secured a 10th and two 13th-placed finishes before leaving in 2019.
However, Rafa’s return looks unlikely unless he can repair his fractured relationship with owner Mike Ashley.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, said: “Newcastle is not an option for Rafa Benitez under this owner.
Next Newcastle manager odds – Betfair
- Rafa Benitez – 6/4
- Mark Hughes – 3/1
- Eddie Howe – 6/1
- Steve Cooper – 15/2
- Laurent Blanc – 10/1
- Alan Shearer – 10/1
- Graeme Jones – 10/1
- Andre Villas-Boas – 14/1
- Joey Barton – 14/1
- Nigel Pearson – 14/1
- Marco Silva – 16/1
- Claudio Ranieri – 16/1
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“Change the owner and then maybe. Rafa has a huge respect for the fans, the club, the town. And I feel there is a bit of an unfinished business there.”
Second in the betting market to replace Steve Bruce is Mark Hughes at 3/1.
The former Wales boss, who was 4/1 for the role last week, says he has renewed energy and enthusiasm and is ready to get back into football management.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’ve had enough rest now – I’m ready to go.
“Those opportunities will keep on coming, you’d like to think, given the CV that I’ve got. You just have to wait for the right one.”
Former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has drifted markedly from 7/2 favouritism to 6/1.
Al-Rayyan manager Laurent Blanc and Toon icon Alan Shearer are locked together at 10s, as is Graeme Jones.
Jones, 50, is set to join Bruce’s coaching staff at the club following talks over the past few days.
Marseille’s Andre Villas-Boas is 14/1 having reportedly rejected the opportunity to manage Newcastle earlier this year.
Betfair have also added former Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton and Nigel Pearson to their list of potential candidates at 14/1.
Ex-Everton boss Marco Silva and title-winning Claudio Ranieri complete the list at 16s.
Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa left Newcastle in 16th place and seven points above third-bottom Fulham, who have a game in hand.
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