Since Andrea Radrizzani tweeted an update on the Leeds United ‘manager’ situation, there has been distinct movement in the betting market.
Radrizzani said in his tweet that Leeds United were “meeting candidates this week,” going on to say that “it is important we take the time to make the best decision for the club.” This openness was all that many Whites fans have been asking for, and it was news gladly received on Twitter.
It also appears that it is news well received by the online bookmakers, well-received to the degree that since the announcement there has been a definite swing in the odds for one candidate that has led to a shortening of his odds and a neck-and-neck race for the post.
The odds are shortening on the top three for the vacancy, with former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew edging from 5/1 to odds of 3/1 to take up a clear third-favourite place with online bookmakers Sky Bet. But it’s what is happening above him that is of more concern.
Above Pardew in the betting are former manager Garry Monk’s trusted assistant Pep Clotet and Premier League-winning manager Claudio Ranieri. For the first time though, both of these are tying for the top spot with odds of 5/2 against their names.
For Clotet, this is a drop from previous odds where he was seen as an odds-on favourite at one point, drifting out in the betting to his current odds. For Ranieri though, this is the shortest that he has been priced with Sky Bet and the first time the former Leicester boss has seen himself at the head of the queue in the betting stakes.
With the two of them, Clotet and Ranieri, now neck-and-neck, this also might add some spice to the current rumours going around that Clotet is so highly thought of at Elland Road that there is to be a Claudio Ranieri/Pep Clotet ‘dream team’ running affairs next season.
Wide of the mark? Who knows, but what is certain is that every Lone Ranger needs and Tonto, every Batman a Robin. Could this thinking be what is going through Andrea Radrizzani’s mind as he begins to formalise who he wants in the Elland Road hotseat next season?
