Scolari favourite to succeed Sven

Luiz Felipe Scolari is the 3-1 favourite with Ladbrokes to be Manchester City’s next manager after owner Thaksin Shinawatra’s apparent loss of confidence in Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Despite a promising first season under the Swede in which City did the double over rivals Manchester United and held a Champions League spot for much of the campaign, City appear certain to endure another summer shake-up. Indeed, so convinced are Paddy Power of Eriksson’s fate that they offer  7-2 that  the former England coach is still in charge at Eastlands at the start of next season.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “Unfortunately for Sven this looks like being the first big manager market of the summer. Shinawatra is a man on a mission and doesn’t look like having the patience of a saint – or even a Swede.”

Slaven Bilic is next in the betting with Ladbrokes at 6-1 but can be found at a more tempting 14-1 with William Hill. The Croat  has experience of the Premier League from spells as a player with West Ham United and Everton and led a successful qualification campaign for Euro 2008 as coach of  his national side.

Next Manchester City manager:

William Hill bet: 9-4 Luis Scolari , 5-1 Martin Jol, Gerrard Houllier, 10-1 Jose Mourinho, Sam Allardyce, 12-1 Otmar Hitzfeld, Louis Van Gaal, 14-1 Paul Ince, Steve McClaren, Slaven Bilic, 16-1 others.
Ladbrokes bet:  3-1 Luis Scolari, 6-1 Slaven Bilic, 8-1 Frank Rijkaard, Sam Allardyce, 10-1 Mark Hughes, 12-1 Paul Ince, Guus Hiddink, 16-1 Ronald Koeman, Claudio Ranieri, 20-1 Steve McClaren.