Eddie Howe is now odds on favourite to be the next Celtic manager with Marco Silva a new addition to market as second favourite.
After Celtic’s 4-1 loss to Sparta Prague in the Europa League last night Neil Lennon’s side cannot now qualify from the group with two games still to play. There is clearly growing pressure on Neil Lennon to quit as Celtic manager or for the Board to reach what appears to be an inevitable decision to replace him. So far though the Board are prepared to judge the results over the forthcoming run of ‘favourable’ domestic games between now and pitching up at Ibrox on 2 January needing a win. Any slip ups before that will surely mean that it’s over for Lennon and his backroom staff of John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan.
Time is up for Neil Lennon. Whatever the merits of hiring him were, it’s over. We need change and we need it now. Short-term we need a management team that can organise and inspire. Long-term, the club needs an overhaul of fresh ideas and impetus. I don’t feel entitled to win
— Paul Larkin* (@paullarkin74) November 27, 2020
This afternoon we can report that Eddie Howe is now 4/6 odds on favourite to be the next Celtic manager with Betfair. He entered the market at 5/1 so clearly there have been punters backing the former Bournemouth boss.
However there’s a new entry to the market as second favourite – former Hull and Everton boss Marco Silva.
David Moyes, the previous market leader, is now back at 9/1 after an upturn in form at West Ham. Moyes was a contender alongside Brendan Rodgers for the job in May 2016 but preferred to focus on getting back into the Premier League in England, while the former Liverpool manager was keen to take the Celtic job.
Gordon Strachan is also 7/1, while Scotland boss Steve Clarke is 9/1 and Hoops legend Henrik Larsson is 10/1. Betfair’s Sam Rosbottom told The Celtic Star:
“With Celtic fans at the end of their tether with Neil Lennon after yet another defeat, Eddie Howe is now the clear 5/6 odds on favourite to be the next man on the touchline at Celtic Park.
“The former Bournemouth boss is out of work and the market suggests he is more likely to take over at Celtic Park than David Moyes, who has slid down the list after a good run of results at West Ham. It is also interesting to see jobless Marco Silva enter the running at a surprise 3/1 second favourite as the Bhoys look to get back to the pinnacle of Scottish football.”
The entire market is set out below and there are some names on there that will leave you completely cold, so be warned. For now though Neil Lennon remains as the Celtic manager, hoping to turn things around over the next few weeks. Results will determine whether he’s going to be allowed to continue trying.
