Ireland manager betting odds latest as surprise candidate shortens from 80/1 to 3/10

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his spell as Manchester United manager.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as bookmaker’s favourite to be the next Republic of Ireland manager, with strong support shortening his odds from 80/1 to 3/10.

Solskjaer hasn’t managed since leaving Manchester United in 2021 and revealed on the Stick to Football podcast recently that he was waiting for the right job to come around before getting back into management.

Having been priced at 80/1, the Norwegian is now red-hot favourite with Betfair to be the next Republic of Ireland manager.

Second favourite is Steve Bruce at 7/2, while interim manager John O’Shea – who took charge of last month’s friendlies with Belgium and Switzerland – is priced at 10/1.

Anthony Barry and Gus Poyet have both been linked with the Ireland job from the outset and despite recent reports suggesting that both men were out of the running, Betfair has them priced at 12/1 to be the next gaffer.

Roy Keane follows at 14/1 ahead of Lee Carsley (25/1) Willy Sagnol (25/1) and Robbie Keane (28/1)

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the new 3/10 favourite to be the next Republic of Ireland manager, with punters backing the former Man United boss in from odds of 80/1. Steve Bruce trails Solskjaer at 7/2, having also been backed in from 80/1, with John O’Shea 10/1 and Roy Keane 14/1 contenders to succeed Stephen Kenny.”

The FAI have been on the lookout for a new International manager following Stephen Kenny’s departure at the end of his contract in 2023.

At the time of John O’Shea’s interim appointment, Marc Canham – Director of football at the FAI – stated that an announcement on the permanent manager would be made in early April and couldn’t be announced earlier due to pre-existing contractual obligations.

It has since been reported that an announcement will come next week bringing an end to the months long saga.

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.