Paddy Power Releases

 RAFA & ROBERTO LEAD WAY TO BE NEXT LIVERPOOL MANAGER

- Paddy Power Latest-

Rafa Benitez continues to prove popular for a return to Liverpool as Liverpool confirmed Kenny Dalglish’s sacking today.

Punters are not ruling out Liverpool again turning turn to a former manager with Benitez backed in from 4/1 to 13/8 since Paddy Power suspended betting on Dalglish’s departure 24 hours ago. Benitez had been as big as 33/1 a few weeks ago but having remained living in the area the Spaniard will surely be quick to put his hat in the ring for another crack with the Carling Cup champions.

However Benitez is presently headed in the market by respected Wigan boss Roberto Martinez. Martinez is proving almost as popular with the money and his odds have also shortened over the last 24 hours to 6/4 from 3/1.

Unlike Benitez other names current amongst the front-runners in Paddy Power’s betting would appear to have obstacles in their way with 10/1 joint third favourite Jose Mourinho expected to remain at Real Madrid and having never enjoyed a good relationsahip with the Liverpool support whilst fellow 10/1 shot Martin O’Neill only joined his boyhood club Sunderland back in December. One biug mover today has been Franck Rijkaard with the Dutchman currently 12/1 from 25/1.  

Paddy Power said: ”Punters are not altogether surprised at Kenny’s departure judging by the betting we have seen but when has it ever worked out well when a manager returns to a club for a second spell? But Liverpool is still Liverpool and a massive club so who will replace Kenny is likely to become the biggest ‘next manager’ betting market we have ever seen as speculation and debate rages in the media and pubs up and down the land.”

Next Liverpool Manager
6-4 Martinez; 13-8 Benitez; 10 Mourinho, O’Neill; 12 Rijkaard, Villas-Boas; 14 Lambert, Rodgers; 18 Emery; 20 Guardiola, Blanc, Ancelotti, Capello, Deschamps, Jesus; 22 Hiddink, Van Gaal; 25 Carragher, Van Basten, Lippi, Coyle, Low, F De Boer; 33 Moyes, Jol, Poyet, Klinsmann
Others available

Ends

All prices remain subject to fluctuation.

Paddy Power is Ireland’s largest bookmaker and a leading provider of gaming services in the UK, Australia, France, Canada and Ireland. Founded in 1988 Paddy Power is a publicly quoted company and is listed on both the Irish and London Stock Exchanges (www.paddypowerplc.com)

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Ken Robertson
Paddy Power plc
Tel: ++353 1 902 1291
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ken@paddypower.com