Next Manager Betting: Who will take charge at Chelsea & Leicester?
Before becoming a Sports Journalist for Free Super Tips, Aaron spent three years studying Sports Journalism at the University of Sunderland while taking in the Black Cats' 'glory years' under Martin O'Neill. Now back in Northern Ireland he turns niche stats into predictions for FST, while he's one of the few people on this island who is equally comfortable at Windsor Park and the Aviva.
This weekend brought two more sackings in one of the most brutal seasons for Premier League bosses. Leicester sacked Brendan Rodgers at lunchtime on Sunday, before Chelsea dismissed Graham Potter later that day.
Now both sides are searching for new managers, with very different priorities for the pair. Below we’ve looked at the current favourites for both posts and the best bets to take over.
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Next Chelsea manager betting odds
- Julian Nagelsmann – 4/6
- Bruno Saltor – 9/2
- Luis Enrique – 9/1
- Mauricio Pochettino – 12/1
- Roberto De Zerbi – 14/1
Nagelsmann was installed as an immediate favourite, but the Blues are likely to take their time when it comes to making an appointment. The Potter appointment was a breathless one, while it was an odd move to trade a Champions League winner for a man who had just hit his stride at a recently established Premier League side.
The Blues can’t afford inexperience and the last few months should show the board that the new boss needs some personality. While they’ve sacked two managers this season, the new ownership seems to genuinely want to find a long-term option who can build something at the bridge. Nagelsmann is a potentially top-level manager, but his Bayern experience means he’s on the way down.
It’s hard to see Saltor as a long-term option, while Luis Enrique and Pochettino have been around too long and taken too many hits to be the right man to hit the ground running in west London.
De Zerbi would be a great option, but the fact that he’d be coming from Brighton likely rules out that move. However, he’s the right profile of boss, which takes us to a great 33/1 option.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has made waves in England’s capital this term with wins against Tottenham and Arsenal, while the 38-year-old is one of Europe’s standout young coaches. He’s already taken Sporting to a league title and his teams have a reputation for playing attacking football.
Best bet – Ruben Amorim at 33/1
Next Leicester manager betting odds
- Graham Potter – evens
- Rafa Benitez – 4/1
- Jon Dahl Tomasson – 9/1
- Steven Gerrard – 11/1
- Thomas Frank – 12/1
Leicester don’t have the luxury of time, having found themselves in the middle of the relegation battle. While this is to be expected for a side who have had so little investment of late, this is a talented squad which should be capable of getting clear of the drop zone.
The Foxes are in an awkward position, as they won’t want to make a short-term, safety-first appointment and they can’t afford getting a manager who needs time. They’ve still got higher aspirations and they’ll want a decent name, without having to break the bank given their financial situation.
Of the names on the list, Rafa Benitez jumps out. He’s the most proven option who can hit the ground running, while he’s high profile enough to be a good appointment for beyond the rest of the campaign. He might not be a manager for a long-term project like Potter or Thomas Frank, but Benitez with a little backing can keep Leicester clear of the drop zone for a few years to come.
Best bet – Rafa Benitez at 4/1
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