QPR manager Michael Beale is favourite for the Aston Villa job.
That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve significantly altered their betting markets following the departure of Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard, 42, was relieved of his duties shortly after Thursday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Fulham.
Villa have registered just two victories all season and sit 17th in the division, above Wolves in the relegation zone on goals scored.
Gerrard replaced Dean Smith in November 2021, but managed only 13 wins from 40 games during his 11 months in charge.
He leaves 32.5 win percentage, which is the 11th lowest in the club’s history behind Gerard Houllier and Tim Sherwood.
Goals have been a major issue under Gerrard despite a wealth of attacking talent including Danny Ings, Leon Bailey and Philippe Coutinho.
The side managed just seven goals in the 2022-23 campaign, only Wolves have scored less.
Villa have the eighth highest wage bill in the Premier League, and have spent £270million since 2020 but find themselves sleepwalking into a relegation scrap.
Betfair odds
A club spokesman said: “We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.”
With Gerrard gone, the search for his successor is already underway and QPR boss Beale is now favourite at 9/4.
The highly-rated Englishman was approached by Wolves to replace Bruno Lage, but the 42-year-old told QPR he wanted to stay at Loftus Road.
An ambitious approach for Mauricio Pochettino is next in the betting market at 11/4, although that price has drifted from 4/6.
The Argentine, 50, has been a free agent since being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain in July.
He had planned to wait until after the World Cup to decide his future, and recently rejected Nice in favour of waiting for a ‘big European job’.
Brentford’s Thomas Frank follows at 7/2, but he’s currently engaged in fresh contract talks with the Bees amid plenty of interest.
Sean Dyche and Unai Emery are next at 11/2 and 6/1 respectively, while Rafa Benitez is available at 14/1.
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