Sunday, February 5th, 2012
Bookmakers suffered a hit yesterday after the unexpected resignation of the Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill.
One of the popular markets that all bookmakers operate is the “Sack Race” – the next Premier League manager to lose their job. Those with inside knowledge of the goings on at Villa Park took advantage before his departure was made public, with O’Neill backed in from 20/1 to 7/4 favourite with Paddy Power, before the market was hastily suspended.
Other companies also reported a flurry of bets on O’Neill, who was seen as safe in his job under American chairman Randy Lerner, even though there were rumours the Ulsterman had been unhappy towards the end of last season.
The reformed sack race market now sees Newcastle manager Chris Hughton as the most likely man to feel the axe.
The new Aston Villa manager market initially saw Alan Curbishley, Slaven Bilic and Sven-Goran Eriksson priced up, but the American coach Bob Bradley has vaulted to the head of the market. While these moves can always provide a hint as to what is happening, there should be a cautionary tale or two, such as a flurry of bets on Lee Clark to be the new Fulham boss, only for him to immediately announce he was staying with Huddersfield Town.
Tags: Sack Race