Bookies are rarely wrong when it comes to this sort of thing, after all their money rides on it.
William Hill media relations director Graham Sharpe posted his thoughts on Twitter this morning,
“Alan Pardew for Newcastle looks a done deal – Hills now 1/12 the ex-Saint gets the gig, with Jol out to 9/1; (Martin) O’Neill/ (Ray) Wilkins both 10/1,”
Pardew’s odds with the betting firm are barely worth a bet at 2/25 and his installation looks very probable. Former favourite to succeed Chris Hughton, Martin Jol, is now an outsider for the position after he indicated that he wants to take a break from management.
Since, the BBC are also now reporting that Pardew will be named the new Magpies’ boss in the next 24 hours.
The Beeb believe that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and club director Derek Llambias became friends with Pardew as regulars of an exclusive London casino of which Llambias was managing director.
Pardew has been jobless since leaving Southampton at the start of the season and has expressed a desire to get another job. It has also been reported that the former Hammers boss would relish a chance to manage at St. James Park.
Chris Hughton’s demise is unlikely to be the only one of the season. William Hill’s odds on there to be no more managerial casualties sits at 28/1.
Avram Grant is 7/4 favourite to be the next man out of a job this season with Mick McCarthy a close second at 5/1. Roberto Mancini’s odds stand at 6/1, Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti’s at 10/1 and Roberto Martinez at 11/1.
