With several outlets claiming Rafa Benitez will walk away from Newcastle United when his contract expires on Sunday, one bookmaker has now named the bookies favourites to replace the Spaniard at St James’ Park.
According to Bet Victor, former Swansea manager Gary Monk is now the favourite to replace Rafa, with him now 4/1 on after leaving his role at Birmingham last week.
Other ‘favourites’ include Burnley boss Sean Dyche (6/1), while Jose Mourinho is also priced at 6/1 – although it’s quite clear that the former Chelsea and Man Utd man would only arrive if a takeover went through.
Here’s the full list of favourites from Bet Victor, with it sadly feeling like we’ll be on the lookout for a new manager if the club don’t convince Rafa to sign over the coming days:
- Gary Monk – 4/1
- Sean Dyche – 6/1
- Jose Mourinho – 6/1
- Michael Appleton – 8/1
- Chris Hughton – 8/1
- Slavisa Jokanovic – 8/1
- David Moyes – 8/1
- John Terry – 10/1
- Darren Moore – 12/1
- Mikel Arteta – 14/1
- Steven Gerrard – 14/1
- Lee Bowyer – 16/1
- Javi Gracia – 16/1
- Eddie Howe – 16/1
- Aitor Karanka – 16/1
- Kevin Nolan – 16/1
- Gary Rowett – 16/1
- Patrick Vieira – 16/1
- Steve Bruce – 20/1
- Sol Campbell – 20/1
- Mark Hughes – 20/1
- Tony Pulis – 20/1
An uninspiring list and a reminder of how bleak things are likely to be if Rafa leaves and Mike Ashley remains.
With just 7 days left until his contract expires, it’s now or never for Newcastle United.
If they make no late move to keep Rafa Benitez at the club after all he’s done over the past three years, this could be Mike Ashley’s most infuriating and damning move of his miserable 12-year tenure on Tyneside.
