In off the Ante Post

If you left it up to our illustrious turf accountants to name Cardiff City’s next manager we would’ve gone through 6 managers within a week. Bookmakers odds have gone up and down more times than Ryan Giggs on a promise.

Although, the dust has started to settle on former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton. Hughton seems to be the man they are plumping for, so much so, some bookmakers are offering 8/11 on while current Watford manager Malky Mackay is not far behind him 11/10.

Last week however, according to the odds, we looked to have sealed the services of Roberto Di Matteo, Martin O’Neill, Mark Robins and, quite astonishingly from nowhere, Alan Shearer. Then came a new entry that made me think bookmakers are just having a giggle to see how many people would actually have a bet on it…..Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink…..and I bet there were takers.

The uncertainty in the betting market is down to one factor. Credit must go to the Cardiff City board for their rigorous search for their new man. They will announce the decision in their own time and on their terms. Replacing Dave Jones isn’t such an easy job and the last thing they want after 6 years of managerial stability is a process of hiring and firing. Wage demands, squad budgets, managerial experience all playing a crucial part in the selection process.    

I used to say that the bookmakers are seldom wrong, I still do, but as the past week have shown, not even they’re exactly sure who it will be.