Next Birmingham City Manager Odds: Who Could Replace Wayne Rooney?
Article By
Last Updated: 
Wayne Rooney has been sacked as manager of Birmingham City and betting sites have opened a market on who will succeed him.
Rooney was under pressure after a tough start to his tenure in the Second City, especially after losing nine of his 15 games in charge at St Andrews.
After a 3-0 trouncing at the hands of Leeds United on New Year's Day, the Blues board have been compelled to act and show Rooney the exit door.
Had the season started on the day Rooney replaced John Eustace in the St Andrew’s dugout, Birmingham would be bottom of the table right now.
But who will replace him as Birmingham boss, whenever that may be? Let’s take a look at the latest odds.
Cooper And Still The Early Favourites For Birmingham Role
Football betting sites have Steve Cooper down as the 2/1 favourite for the job after the former Nottingham Forest manager was relieved of his duties at the City Ground recently.
Cooper remained popular with the club’s fans until the end, not least because Forest were down in the lower part of the Championship when he took charge - much like Birmingham are now.
However, Cooper may want to take a short break from management rather than jumping straight back in.
The Welshman might also feel he deserves another crack higher up the food chain.
Will Still, listed at 5/2, is another option. The Belgian-English coach will almost certainly manage in the country of his parents’ birth one day.
But given that his Reims team are currently eighth in Ligue 1, the Birmingham job probably does not look too appealing right now.
Eustace Return Mooted Alongside Marsch And Carsley Candidacies
Jesse Marsch can be backed at 3/1 to take over from Rooney. The American had mixed success in his previous job at Leeds United, but the 50-year-old clearly has something about him and he would probably make a positive early impact at St Andrew’s.
One of the most intriguing options on the list is Eustace, who is priced at 4/1.
Most Birmingham supporters were disappointed to see the club’s new owners install Rooney in his place in October.
Whether the former midfielder would go back to work for the people who fired him so recently is unclear, however.
Lee Carsley (5/1) led England’s Under-21s to glory at the European Championship in the summer.
Either a Championship job or becoming the next Republic of Ireland manager could be his most likely next move and the Birmingham-born manager could be tempted by an offer from a club with whom he spent two seasons as a player.
Heckingbottom And Jones Waiting For Next Opportunities
Paul Heckingbottom was dismissed by Sheffield United earlier this month after a poor start to the current campaign.
He did a brilliant job in guiding the Blades to promotion last season though, and many Championship clubs would consider appointing him as their next boss.
Heckingbottom is no doubt weighing up his options as things stand. He is level with Carsley in the market at 5/1 with betting apps.
Nathan Jones (6/1) is another coach who excelled in the Championship before struggling in the Premier League.
However, the fact that the Welshman has generally disappointed away from Luton Town could harm his chances of landing the Birmingham job.
The number of sports with in-play betting available
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
The number of sports with in-play betting available
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
The number of sports with in-play betting available
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Mowbray, Neil And Rowett Among The Dark Horses For St Andrew’s Gig
Tony Mowbray is another out-of-work manager, who is given an 8/1 shot of succeeding Rooney by new betting sites.
The 60-year-old was harshly sacked by Sunderland in early December, but we do not yet know whether he is seeking for another job right now.
Alex Neil is available at 12/1. Another ex-Sunderland coach, the Scot subsequently bossed Stoke City before being sacked last month.
The Potters were 20th in the Championship at the time, so he will probably not be one of the first names on Birmingham’s wish list.
Gary Rowett (15/1) managed Birmingham between 2014 and 2016, before being harshly sacked by a new ownership group (Eustace can no doubt sympathise). However, he is an outsider for the job this time around.
A Championship survival specialist, Neil Warnock is available at 20/1.
If Birmingham were to slip closer to the relegation zone, the club could turn their focus to a man who kept Huddersfield Town in the second tier against the odds just last season.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.
Updated by
Last Updated:
