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Managerial merry-go round: From the Bernabeu to Bramall Lane

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A host of managerial vacancies have opened up following an end-of-season surge of departures, prompting the usual frenzied guessing games over replacements.

Working on the logic of ‘the bookies are rarely wrong', we look at the favourites for the respective vacant posts from the Bernabeu to Bramall Lane...

Real Madrid

Napoli's coach Rafael Benitez issues instructions to his players during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final

It was no surprise to see Carlo Ancelotti sacked as Real Madrid endured a rare barren season, losing out to bitter rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race and falling at the semi-final stage of their Champions League defence. Even securing the Holy Grail of achievements in ‘La Decima’ was not enough to buy the Italian any extra time, and it now appears to be Rafael Benitez’s turn to shoulder the enormous burden that comes with taking the reins at the Bernabeu. The former Liverpool boss is widely expected to vacate his current position at Napoli at the end of the season, with no sign of his soon-to-expire contract being extended.

Next Real Madrid manager odds: Rafael Benitez 1/20, Jurgen Klopp 10/1, Zinedine Zidane 12/1, Jorge Jesus 20/1

Sunderland

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce

Sam Allardyce has been installed as the favourite to be in charge of Sunderland next season after interim boss Dick Advocaat turned down a permanent contract. The Black Cats hierarchy are now expected to take advantage of the availability of the experienced Allardyce, who left his post at West Ham on Sunday. Paul Clement – who has been linked with almost every vacancy across the top two divisions in England – is second favourite in a market which remains relatively wide open.

Sunderland boss on first day of next season: Sam Allardyce 13/8, Paul Clement 2/1, Patrick Vieira 6/1, Steve McClaren 8/1, Slavisa Jokanovic 10/1, Sean Dyche 12/1

West Ham

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - FEBRUARY 26:  Slaven Bilic head coach of Besiktas signals during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 second leg match between Besiktas JK

Having made 48 appearances for the club between 1996 and 1997, Slaven Bilic appears to be a popular choice among the West Ham support to succeed Sam Allardyce. The former Croatia manager – who is stepping down from his role as Besiktas boss – is also popular among Sky Bet’s punters, with Bilic attracting by far the biggest number of stakes, even doubling the figure of any other candidate.

Next West Ham manager odds: Slaven Bilic 5/4, Marcelo Bielsa 3/1, Roberto Di Matteo 11/2, David Moyes 7/1, Unai Emery 10/1, Michael Laudrup 14/1

Newcastle

Steve McClaren

John Carver lost 13 of his 20 games in charge of Newcastle and is unlikely to take charge of their first Premier League game next season according to the odds (11/2). Instead, Steve McClaren’s dismissal at Derby has seen the former England manager backed in to odds-on favourite (1/5), though his re-built reputation did take a knock following the Rams’ late-season collapse in the Sky Bet Championship. As such, other candidates with Premier League experience, such as Michael Laudrup and David Moyes, are being touted as desirable outsiders by the Newcastle faithful. Meanwhile, Remi Garde was odds-on to replace Alan Pardew at the beginning of the year and he’s currently available at 16/1 with Sky Bet.

Newcastle boss on first day of next season: Steve McClaren 1/5, John Carver 11/2, Michael Laudrup 12/1, David Moyes 14/1

Watford

It is understood Slavisa Jokanovic, the man who led Watford to automatic promotion from the Championship after arriving in October, will not be in charge next season. Sky sources say Quique Flores, who has previously managed Valencia, Benfica and Atletico Madrid, is the club's preferred candidate on a three-man shortlist also featuring Roberto Di Matteo. Flores is the odds-on favourite for the post while outgoing Brentford boss Mark Warburton has also been linked.

Quique Sanchez Flores 1/2, Roberto Di Matteo 5/1, Mark Warburton 10/1, Sam Allardyce 12/1

Derby

Paul Clement

Steve McClaren was sacked after failing to lead Derby to promotion, as a nightmare end to the campaign saw them fail to even make the play-offs having been top of the table at the start of March. The Rams won just two of their final 13 games amid links between McClaren and Newcastle, although the former England boss insists he was fully committed to the Sky Bet Championship outfit. McClaren’s exit seems to have paved the way for Real Madrid’s assistant boss Paul Clement to take his first step into management, although the Rams opt for the term ‘head coach’ in their hierarchy. Clement is considered the most certain of potential appointments, having been heavily backed shortly after McClaren’s departure.

Paul Clement 1/20, Gary Rowett 12/1, Slavisa Jokanovic 16/1, Mark Warburton 16/1

Brentford

Marinus Dijkhuizen: What are this rookie coach's credentials?

After the disappointment of losing out to Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-finals, Brentford appear to be closing in on their replacement for Mark Warburton. Marinus Dijkhuizen, manager of Eredivisie side Excelsior, is the odds-on favourite to step into the shoes vacated by Warburton at Griffin Park. FC Midtjylland coach Glen Riddersholm, who is well connected with the Bees' new director of football Rasmus Ankersen, is joint second in the betting at 7/1, along with Real Madrid assistant manager Paul Clement, who looks more likely to take over at Derby.

Next Brentford manager odds: Marinus Dijkhuizen 4/11, Glen Riddersholm 7/1, Paul Clement 7/1, Paco Jemez 8/1

Blackpool

Neil McDonald

Neil McDonald may have spent three years as a player at Blackpool’s rivals Preston North End, but he’s the odds-on favourite to take on the difficult managerial role at Bloomfield Road. Perhaps the most undesirable vacancy in the Sky Bet Football League, it’s no surprise to see proven managers at this level with long odds for the post. Ian Holloway (8/1), Nigel Clough (33/1), and Paul Jewell (50/1) are listed but McDonald, whose most recent post was as Sam Allardyce’s assistant at West Ham, and youth team coach Richie Kyle are the frontrunners. Former Stevenage boss Graham Westley is available after being replaced by Teddy Sheringham, and the 47-year-old is third in the pecking order.

Next Blackpool manager: Neil McDonald 4/11, Richie Kyle 4/1, Graham Westley 8/1, Ian Holloway 8/1

Sheffield Utd

Phil Parkinson went as short as 1/10 to make the move across Yorkshire, but the Bradford boss has since drifted back out to 5/4 to replace Nigel Clough, who was dismissed for failing to lead the side to promotion. Should Parkinson rebuff any advances from the Blades, the club could turn to Nigel Adkins, who has been out of work since being sacked by Reading last year and is now favourite in the betting. Mark Warburton has reportedly turned the job down already, but he remains the joint-second favourite as the Sheffield United board may make an improved offer. Former Everton defender Alan Stubbs – who has impressed in his first year as a manager at Hibernian – is an alternative choice at 20/1.

Next Sheffield United boss: Nigel Adkins 8/11, Phil Parkinson 5/4, Mark Warburton 6/1, Karl Robinson 6/1

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