Mark Hughes just 2/5 for Southampton job; Marco Silva second-fav
Is former Saints player returning to South Coast?
It’s less than 24 hours since Southampton sacked manager Mauricio Pellegrino. But already it seems the South Coast club are on the cusp of appointing a new boss.
Former Stoke City gaffer Mark Hughes is 2/5 to take the Saints job. The Welshman played 61 times for the South Coast club, and now seems set to return as manager.
Second-favourite is Marco Silva at 2/1. Many were surprised when Watford sacked the 40-year-old earlier this season, but it seems he could make a swift return to the Premier League.
There’s a big gap before third in the market – shared by 8/1 shots Slaven Bilic and Slavisa Jokanovic.
Meanwhile, there are six bosses at odds of 10/1, including AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and experienced pair Harry Redknapp and Martin O’Neill.
Coral’s John Hill said: “Judging by the number and size of the bets we have laid on Mark Hughes this morning, it suggests to us that he is currently top of Southampton’s shortlist to replace Mauricio Pellegrino as they look to avoid relegation this season.”
Hill added: “We’ve also seen nibbles for Harry Redknapp and Martin O’Neill, two experienced men who could be seen as great options until the end of the season.”
Whoever takes the job will need to make an instant impact, with the 17th-placed Saints currently 15/8 to suffer relegation.
**Next Southampton manager
2/5 Mark Hughes, 2/1 Marco Silva, 8/1 Slaven Bilic, 8/1 Slavisa Jokanovic, 10/1 Eddie Howe, 10/1 Patrick Vieira, 10/1 Sam Allardyce, 10/1 Harry Redknapp, 10/1 Martin O’Neill, 10-1 Kelvin Davis, 16/1 bar
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
