Newcastle next boss odds: Jose Mourinho and Mikel Arteta among favourites to take over from Rafa Benitez
JOSE MOURINHO and Mikel Arteta are amongst the favourites to take over at Newcastle after it was announced Rafa Benitez will leave this month.
Benitez and his whole backroom staff will depart on June 30, with the Toon now beginning their search for a new boss.
And Mourinho – out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in December 2018 – has been installed as one of the front-runners for the gig – at 12/1 with Betfair.
Manchester City assistant Arteta is 15/2 third-favourite – with sacked Birmingham chief Garry Monk the clear favourite at 11/2.
Eddie Howe is second-favourite according to the bookies at 7/1, with Gennaro Gattuso (10/1), ex-Magpies chief Chris Hughton (14/1) and Patrick Vieira (16/1) also in the running.
David Moyes, Steven Gerrard, Marcelo Bielsa and Arsene Wenger (all 20/1), join Quique Sanchez Flores (22/1), Nigel Pearson and Roberto Martinez (both 25/1) on the list.
DISAPPOINTING
On Monday’s news, a Toon statement read: “It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019.
“We have worked hard to extend Rafa’s contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been – and will not be – possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives.
“Rafa’s coaching staff, Paco de Miguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia, will also leave the club on June 30.
“We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved.
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“We would also like to thank our supporters, players and staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty.
“The process to appoint a successor will now begin.”
Whoever takes over at from Benitez at Newcastle will have until August 11 to ready their troops before their 2019-20 Premier League opener at home to Arsenal.