It took just 83 days to take a team from 6th place to 20th in the league, so it comes as no surprise that Birmingham City have just released Wayne Rooney from his managerial post at the club, having won just 2 of his 15 games in charge and losing 9 of them. Having sacked former manager, John Eustace, from the role in October, citing a difference of opinions on the ambitions for the club between the owners and manager, some might argue that this was a deserved fate after he had helped them survive relegation the previous season and started so well, only to be dismissed so brutally, but no matter what the reason behind it is, Birmingham City now find themselves in dire straits.
With a game this weekend against Hull City in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, the Blues will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their 2-0 defeat against them back in October, but with both manager, Wayne Rooney, and first team coach, Carl Robinson, now released, CEO Garry Cook will have his work cut out to calm the frustrated supporters and assistant Professional Development Coach, Steve Spooner, as he takes interim charge of the first team squad for the moment. So just who are the bookies favouring in the next Birmingham City manager odds.
At the time of writing, BetVictor has 5 names in the mix to take over the manager post, so let’s take a look at the odds. In 4th place is Jesse Marsch, who was most recently the manager of Leeds United until February 2023, with odds of 11/2*, where a £10 bet would pay £65. Third is former Birmingham manager John Eustace at 9/2, where £10 would return £55, however after the way he was released by the club last time, perhaps he would be less inclined to return to the helm to try save them again. In joint second is Tony Mowbray, who has been out of work less than a month after being sacked by Sunderland, and Gary Rowett, a former player and manager for the Blues who was most recently at Millwall till October 2023. At odds of 7/2*, both candidates would see a £10 bet return £45 if correct. In pole position, however, is Steve Cooper at 10/11*, with a £10 wager paying out £19.09, who was released after a dismal run of performances by Nottingham Forest just a few weeks ago. While his recent performances left a lot to be desired, he oversaw the promotion of Forest from the Championship to the Premier League in 2022, an attractive prospect to the Birmingham board who will be looking to do the same.
With four fixtures left to play in January, including the FA Cup game and matches against Swansea, Stoke and Middlesborough, all of whom are in the bottom half of the table, there will be plenty to play for. No matter who they choose to appoint, perhaps it is time that the fans are heard and the hierarchy allow the managers to have more say over the vision for the club itself. Until then, all that remains is to keep an eye on the next Birmingham manager odds or check out both our football betting odds and Championship betting markets ahead of the upcoming games this weekend and next.
*All odds are correct at time of writing and are subject to change
