Steve Bruce Emerges as Favorite to Become Next Ireland Manager
There has been much speculation about who will take over as the next manager of the Ireland national football team. Several names have been thrown into the mix, including Lee Carsely, Neil Lennon, and Chris Hughton. However, it is former Newcastle and Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce who has now emerged as the favorite to lead the team.
According to bookmaker Paddy Power, Bruce’s odds have dramatically shortened in recent days, with him now being priced at 2/1 to take the reins. This sudden surge in support for Bruce came after Ireland’s defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday night. The mounting pressure on current manager Stephen Kenny has led many to believe that his time in charge will not extend beyond the current qualifying campaign.
Ireland currently sits fourth in their qualifying group, just three points ahead of Gibraltar at the bottom. They are a significant nine points behind Greece in third place. With their chances of qualifying for the World Cup looking slim, it seems likely that a change in management will occur.
Steve Bruce, who has previously managed clubs such as Sunderland, Birmingham, and Sheffield Wednesday, was most recently in charge of West Brom. However, he was sacked after just eight months in the role. Since then, he has been without a club and retirement rumors have circulated. However, a job in international management could be an appealing prospect for the 62-year-old, and Ireland appears to be a potential destination.
While Bruce has surged to the top of the betting market, other contenders for the Ireland job include Lee Carsely, who is currently the under-21 manager and is seen as a potential replacement for Gareth Southgate when he departs from his role with England. Carsely remains the second favorite at 9/2. Neil Lennon and Chris Hughton are also in the running at odds of 9/1, along with Anthony Barry and Kieran McKenna. Roy Keane (10/1) and Sam Allardyce (11/1) are also considered contenders.
Rachael Kane of Paddy Power commented on the unexpected support for Bruce, saying, “Like a Fergie time winner, the swell in support for Bruce came out of nowhere overnight and has shown no signs of slowing despite him now being backed into the favorite.”
It is worth noting that Stephen Kenny is expected to remain in charge for the remainder of the qualifying campaign. However, with the mounting pressure and the team’s struggles, it seems unlikely that his tenure will extend beyond that.
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In conclusion, Steve Bruce has emerged as the favorite to become the next manager of the Ireland national football team. With mounting pressure on current manager Stephen Kenny and Ireland’s struggles in qualifying, a change in management appears likely. However, other contenders such as Lee Carsely, Neil Lennon, and Chris Hughton are still in the running. Paddy Power is offering a special promotion for football betting enthusiasts, providing £40 in free Bet Builder bets for new customers. It is important to gamble responsibly and seek help if needed.