Ferguson set for his second tenure at Peterborough

Darren Ferguson has been confirmed as the manager of the London Road club, he joins the club on an initial 4 1/2 year deal. This comes just 14 months after he left the same role by mutual consent with Peterborough and just under two weeks since he was sacked as manager of Npower Championship side Preston North End. He will be replacing Gary Johnson who left his role with the League One side on Monday after leaving the job by mutual consent who according to press releases did not see eye to eye with Peterborough Chairman Darragh MacAnthony. .

Ferguson himself has had several spats with MacAnthony in the past and it is very much a love/hate relationship between the two. Ferguson will also have to deal with Director of Football Barry Fry who was upset when Ferguson left the club and believed the manager was “tapped up”.

Fergusons first spell at the Posh started in 2007 when Peterborough were in League Two and over 2 seasons he led them to back to back promotions to the Championship however by November 2009 they had slid down to the bottom of the Championship and at this point Ferguson left the club.  He was replaced first by Mark Cooper and then Jim Gannon who failed to stop the teams relegation from the Championship to League One.

The fans at London Road will be sure to welcome back Ferguson with open arms when he takes full charge of the team and the prospects of some loan signing coming from Daddy’s side Manchester United will keep them appeased.

The halfway stage in the season came on New Years day and with 23 games remaining, it is always a busy time on the managerial-merry-go-round with teams looking to make a changes in time for the new managers to utilise the January transfer window and have enough games left in the season to change their sides fortunes.

Burnley were the first to act last Wednesday, sacking Brian Laws after the Clarets lost 2-0 at home to Scunthorpe United. Lancashire neighbours, PNE, followed suit less than an hour later when they announced that Darren Ferguson had been relived of his duties after the Lillywhites lost 3-1 at home to Middlesbrough and would be starting 2011 rooted to the bottom of the Championship.

Crystal Palace became the third club in the division to part company with their manager when firing George Burley at the end of last week, this followed a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Millwall and the Eagles in the relegation zone.

As all three teams continue their search for a replacement, the same names appear on the betting for all three jobs, although if the rumours are to be believed, it would appear that Crystal Palace are on the verge of welcoming Steve Coppell back to Selhurst Park for what would be his fourth stint at the club. However, Chris Hughton, Chris Coleman and current caretaker boss, Dougie Freedman are also in the running but the fans preference would seemingly be for Coppell who left Bristol City after just two games in charge at the beginning of the season.

Odds for the next Crystal Palace manager

Burnley’s search for Brian Laws’ replacement has seen a number of different managers move in to favouritism over the past few days with Watford manager, Malky Mackay, the current front runner. Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe, Norwich’s Paul Lambert, Derek McInnes, Phil Brown and Sam Allardyce have all sat at the head of the betting at one stage of another for what is undoubtedly an attractive job. The Clarets are currently tenth in the league just four points off the play-offs and with money available to spend and strong squad, a return to the Premier League is not only the aim for whoever takes over at Turf Moor but a realistic objective and one which is sure to appeal to plenty of mangers.

Next Burnley manager odds

Preston North End on the other hand are seven points from safety and look doomed to relegation. Any manger who is brave enough to assume the reigns at Deepdale will be well aware at the task in hand and the distinct possibility that he will be managing in League 1 come August. Nonetheless, this has not deterred the bookies linking several big names to the job and  PNE Chairman, Maurice Lindsay stated on Monday that he’d received 40 applications for the job and was looking to appoint a manager soon. Names in the running to replace Darren Ferguson include Paul Jewell, Phil Brown, Paul Hart and Gordon Strachan of those currently out of work whilst the biggest surprise at the head of the betting is former manager, Billy Davies, who is currently at Nottingham Forest and whilst it would be a decision that would leave the football world scratching their heads, their has been plenty of money in recent days for the Scotsman making a return to Lancashire five years after leaving.

Click here to see the next permanent Preston manager betting odds

Ferguson, who was sacked by Peterborough United in November of last year arrived at Preston in January and guided the Deepdale club to safety. However, a dismal season thus far has seen the Lilywhites back in a relegation battle and Chairman Maurice Lindsay together with the club’s owner, Sir Trevor Hemmings, obviously see the club’s battle for survival in the hands of another manager after Darren, the son of Machester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, has managed just 13 victories in his 49 games at the helm.

The early rumour about the person expected to replace Ferguson Jr is Paul Jewell, who has a close relationship with Chairman Lindsay following his time at Wigan Athletic. After being out of work for two years, Jewell is believed to be ready to return the management and a job in the Championship is sure to appeal. Another name favoured by Preston fans is that of Michael Appleton, a first team coach at West Brom and former Preston player but whether a first time appointment would be favoured by the board in the current circumstances remains to be seen.

Next Preston North End Manager Odds with VC Bet – 04/01/2011

• Paul Jewell – 9/4
• Billy Davies – 7/2
• Phil Brown – 7/2
• Paul Hart – 15/2
• David Unsworth – 10/1
• Gordon Strachan – 11/1
• Tony Adams – 12/1
• Sammy McIlroy – 12/1
• Andy Scott – 14/1
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Betting Market supplied by Victor Chandler

Darren Ferguson, the son of Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has been in charge at Deepdale since January this year and during his 43 games at the helm, the side has won just 12 games, losing 22 and drawing nine; resulting in just 45 points. That return over the course of a regular season would result in relegation and judging by the Lillywhites current form, League One is where they look to be heading.

Boos could be heard from those that remained of the club’s lowest attendance since being promoted to the second tier of English football ten years ago at the final whistle following the 2-1 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Barnsley and Ferguson Jnr must fear he’s in the last chance saloon.

It was a year ago to the day almost (9th Novemebr 2009 to be precise) that Darren Ferguson was relieved of his duties at Peterborough United, who also had 14 points and sat bottom of the Championship when he was sacked following back to back promotion at the London Road club. Whether the Preston board act in what would be an ironic twist of fait for the former Man Utd, Wolves and Wrexham player remains to be seen and it could be Friday night’s clash versus Hull City that could prove to be the final nail in Fergie’s coffin.

If Ferguson survives beyond Hull and the next home game against Millwall, it could be the next two away games against the division’s pace setters, QPR and Cardiff, that determine whether he’ll see out one year at the club, especially with the all important Christmas period fast approaching followed by the January transfer window which will prove crucial if PNE are to make the additions to the squad that could help steer them clear of the drop.

Prior to Tuesday’s defeat, Darren Ferguson was 8/1 to be the next Championship manager to leave, however, it would be a surprise to see him as anything but the favourite when Victor Chandler (who are surprisingly the only bookmaker to offer this market) re-price the odds following the midweek games.

Ferguson will point towards bad luck for his teams poor start to the season, the team were 3-1 up at Burnley last weekend with ten minutes to go and contrived to concede three goals and lose the game and it is hard to blame the Manager in a situation like that. That will have knocked the teams confidence and they followed that up with a home defeat to newly promoted Norwich, all of that means they sit just above Portsmouth in the table and Ferguson feeling the heat as we really start to get into the meat of the Campaign.

Ferguson will not want to panic at the moment but will need this poor run to end as soon as possible, he may or may not take some comfort in the fact that he is not the only Championship Manager under pressure so early in the season with a number of big names looking over their shoulders. The Next Championship Manager To Be Sacked Betting is showing that the likes of Billy Davies are by no means secure in their positions, Davies has made it clear that he feels his squad is not strong enough to maintain a promotion challenge and at the moment he looks right with Notts Forest languishing in the bottom half. Forest went close to promotion last season but so far they have not been able to replicate that form with a thin squad, there is clearly no money there and the Sack Race feels he could be excellent value in this market.

The next Championship Manager To be sacked Betting is a market that is really hotting up this season with the pressure on the Managers at an all time high, the number of teams looking to lead their teams to the Premier League is bigger than ever meaning that many of them will fall short of their goals and will find themselves in hot water.

Next Championship Manager to be Sacked Odds with VC Bet as of 20/09/2010 – Click to Bet

Darren Ferguson 5/2
Keith Millen 9/4
Paulo Sousa 6/1
Billy Davies 6/1
Gordon Strachan 6/1
Nigel Clough 9/1
Steve Cotterill 9/1
Nigel Pearson 12/1
Gary Speed 12/1
George Burley 14/1
Nigel Clough 14/1
Brian McDermott 14/1
Simon Grayson 16/1
Aidy Boothroyd 18/1
Mark Robins 18/1
Kenny Jackett 20/1
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All betting markets supplied by Victor Chandler

Bookmaker Victor Chandler are offering odds on who will be the third Npower Championship manager to find himself out of work in the 2010/2011 season. Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies heads the betting after a slow start to the season together with the Scotsman’s outspoken views that his team is still without the required quality he feels would see his side compete for the play-offs, which has resulted in reputed unrest between the manager and the board of directors and that’s enough to see Chandler make Davies 3/1 favourite to be next for the chop.

Gordon Strachan is the 4/1 second favourite behind Davies to be the next to get the boot after his Middlesbrough side have not started the season the way many expected of pre-season title favourites. However, it is difficult to see the normally loyal Boro Chairman, Steve Gibson, wielding the axe less than 12 months after appointing Strachan, especially after splashing the cash in an attempt to make a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

Reading’s Brian McDermott and Portsmouth’s Steve Cotterill are both 8/1 chances after both teams remain win-less after three games but it is hard to see either being potted with both being appointed only recently. Darren Ferguson of Preston North End and Bristol Cit’s Keith Millen are two other managers only just finding their feet after recent appointments but still face the raft of the bookies odds and are unconvincingly priced at 9/1 to be the third dismissal in the Championship.

Dave Jones and Neil Warnock are seemingly the safest two managers in the division, outsiders of the pack at 25/1 given their teams good starts to the season and in Jones’ case, a stroke of luck with the recent acquisition of Craig Bellamy, a signing that should only help Cardiff’s quest for promotion. However, in boasting the best squads in the division comes expectation and should either QPR or Cardiff not continue their upward curves, you can be sure that Jones and Warnock will begin to feel the pressure!

Predicting who will be the next Championship manager to leave his post is as tough as predicting the winner of any game in the league but one manager who we at The Sack Race believe could be about to come under scrutiny is Derby County boss Nigel Clough. In charge at Pride Park for over 18 months now, winning just 25 of his 79 games at the helm. Clough must show signs that his side is making progress but that has yet to seen and if results don’t begin to improve, the 14/1 about Clough leaving Derby could look a big price.

Third Championship Manager to leave his club during the 2010/2011 Season
Billy Davies (Nottingham Forest) 3/1
Gordon Strachan (Middlesbrough) 4/1
Steve Cotterill (Portsmouth) 8/1
Brian McDermott (Reading) 8/1
Keith Millen (Bristol City) 9/1
Darren Ferguson (Preston) 9/1
Paulo Sousa (Leicester) 10/1
Malky Mackay (Watford) 12/1
Mark Robins (Barnsley) 14/1
Nigel Adkins (Scunthorpe) 14/1
Nigel Clough (Derby) 14/1
Simon Grayson (Leeds) 16/1
George Burley (Crystal Palace) 16/1
Nigel Pearson (Hull) 16/1
Aidy Bothroyd (Coventry) 18/1
Gary Speed (Sheffield United) 18/1
Kenny Jackett (Millwall) 20/1
Sean O’Driscoll (Doncaster) 20/1
Paul Lambert (Norwich) 20/1
Roy Keane (Ipswich) 20/1
Brian Laws (Burnley) 22/1
Brendan Rodgers (Swansea) 25/1
Neil Warnock (QPR) 25/1
Dave Jones (Cardiff) 25/1
Odds supplied by VictorChandler.com

Nottingham Forest manager, Billy Davies, is the clear favourite with Coral to be the next manager in the Championship to leave their post at 9/2 and following a summer of no incoming transfers at the City Ground and continued rumours of unsettled relations between Davies and the board anything less than a flying start for Forest may see the two part company.

Victor Chandler, who sponsor Nottingham Forest’s shirt, thus may be better informed take a different view and make Davies an 8/1 chance to be the first to leave, putting  Malky Mackay (4/1) and Kevin Blackwell (5/1) at the head of the betting. Mackay is just beginning his second season in charge at Watford and with the lack of funds at his disposal, it would be harsh to see him sacked early on in the season. Equally, Blackwell at Sheffield United has not had huge amounts to spend in the close season but the Blades should be equipped to make a solid start to the season and an early departure seems unlikely at Bramall Lane.

One manager who is sure to be under pressure to start the season well is Burnley’s Brian Laws, who had a baptism of fire when taking over the Turf Moor club in the Premier League last season which saw fans calling for his sacking at the end of the season. The Burnley board gave him the dreaded vote of confidence following relegation but anything less than a promotion push from the outset could see the former Sheffield Wednesday manager uner pressure and he knows all too well about that following his dismissal from Hillsbrough less than twleve months ago and could be a good bet at 10/1.

Other managers who must prove their worth include Nigel Clough at Derby County, Roy Keane at Ipswich and Gordon Strachan at Middlesborough.

Next Championship Manager to leave Odds
Billy Davies 9/2
Kevin Blackwell 10/1
Malky Mackay 10/1
Brian Laws 10/1
Roy Keane 10/1
Brian McDermott 10/1
Steve Cotterill 16/1
Aidy boothroyd 16/1
Nigel Clough 16/1
Neil Warnock 20/1
Nigel Adkins 20/1
Paul Lambert 20/1
Brendan Rodgers 20/1
Dave Jones 20/1
George Burley 20/1
Gordon Strachan 20/1
Paulo Sousa 25/1
Steve Coppell 25/1
Darren Ferguson 25/1
Simon Grayson 25/1
Nigel Pearson 25/1
Kenny Jackett 33/1
Sean O’Driscoll 33/1
Mark Robins 33/1
Odds supplied by Coral

Cooper joined Posh from Conference side Kettering in November following the departure of Darren Ferguson who had lead the side to back to back promotions. However, Cooper was not a popular choice for Ferguson’s replacement with many Peterborough fans  and with just one win to his name during his thirteen game tenure, the pressure had clearly got to the stage were the club clearly thought that sacking its second manager in less than three months was the only option.

Just last week, Posh Chairman, Darragh McAnthony, cast doubts over the entire club, apologising to the fans for what had so far been ‘nothing short of a disaster’ in a statement on the club’s website. Whilst the majority of the statement criticised Darren Ferguson’s actions since leaving the club and questioned the players commitment, he did defend the appointment of Cooper, as not being the cheap option, stating “He (Mark) was given the job on merit…nobody has given the bloke a chance since he was appointed ten games agoand has had to deal with one fiasco after another…I am unhappy with results but not ready to throw the towel in.” Yet less than seven days later, McAnthony has shown Cooper the door.

Who is next up in the London Road hot-seat remains to be seen but with the club staring relegation in the face and clearly problems afoot on and off the pitch, it could be a difficult search and Posh fans should brace themselves for more frustrations.

The early money has been for Steve Coppell who had a decent spell at Reading and has been linked with various posts in recent months. The interesting contender for the Burnley job is Mike Phelan who is on the coaching staff of Man Utd and the money has really come for him in the last 24 hours.

All the other usual suspects are at the head of the betting including Paul Jewell who was the early favourite for the Bolton job and Alan Curbishley is another name that saw some interest early on, but money has dried up for him. Darren Ferguson was another leading candidate but he is now on his way to Preston.

As the rumor and gossip increases in the coming days we will be keeping you informed on the latest developments here at The Sack Race.

Check Out the Latest Next Burnley Manager Betting Right Here.

The odds on Ferguson taking over have gradually shortened after Preston Chairman Derek Shaw confirmed that the son of Man Utd boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, was one of the six names on the short list of candidates for the job. However, the other five remain unknown and it could be for that reason that Ferguson Jnr is the favourite.

Other names believed to be linked to the post include former Burnley manager Steve Cotterill, who has been out of work for over two years since leaving Preston’s Lancashire rival in November 2007 and certainly wouldn’t be a popular choice amongst the Deepdale faithful. Doncaster Rovers boss, Sean O’Driscoll, is also believed to be in the frame but the compensation maybe a sticking point. Gareth Southgate, Alan Shearer and Paul Jewell are all likely names also on the short list but remain speculation at this stage with the Preston board are keeping their cards close to their chest but they have stated that they hope to have a new manager in place for the home game against Doncaster on Saturday.

The search for a new manager has also fuelled rumours that the club is on the verge of a takeover or new investment given that Irvine’s replacement is likely to want to take advantage of the current transfer window. As such, funds would have to be made available when previously Shaw had stated that the club were struggling financially.

Latest Next Preston Manager Odds
Darren Ferguson 2/5
Steve Cotterill 5/1
Sean O’Driscoll 8/1
Gareth Southgate 16/1
Alan Shearer 16/1
Paul Jewell 16/1
(correct as 12:18 on Monday 4/1/2010 odds courtesy of Skybet.com)