The departure of Paul Lambert from Carrow Road has thrown up a look at Next Permanent Norwich manager betting. Things change pretty quickly in the world of football, as Lambert said just back around May 23rd, that the growing speculation of him leaving the Canaries was "absolute nonsense." Well, not any more apparently, as Aston Villa have been pretty intent on getting their man. It may seem like a strange move to many, as Norwich, who beat Villa on the final day of the season, finished nine points ahead of the Midlands club. Naturally Norwich have been reluctant to see Lambert go, and they in fact rejected a resignation offer from the manager. However, it seems, because of the long winded complications of involving lawyers to settle any matter, Norwich have to cede ground, but not without compensation of course. Lambert, who led Norwich to the Premier League, winning 70 of 142 matches while in charge at Carrow Road since the start of the 2009/10 season, won't be there next season.
Lambert has asked to leave and so Norwich must start looking elsewhere. So where can the Canaries turn to, and where should punters be looking in Next Norwich Manager betting? We can start by eliminating names of course, and top of the list will be Neil Lennon. The Celtic boss has been on the list of names touted around as Lambert's successor, but the club has stated that they haven't and are not going to be approaching Lennon. So scrap him. Leading the way is Cardiff's Malky Mackay, who makes for a very interested prospect. The current Cardiff manager is a very good for Norwich and the set up which they have at Carrow Road at the moment, and is considered to be one of the best young managers around. Cardiff missed out on promotion to the Premier League, losing in the Championship play-offs to West Ham. He also led Cardiff to the Carling Cup final, narrowly losing out to Liverpool at Wembley. Mackay is also a former Norwich player and has close links to the shareholders at Carrow Road.
So Mackay, trading at a price of 7/4 favourite with online bookmaker SkyBet, is the definite favourite in Next Norwich Manager betting, but pushing him hard is Birmingham's Chris Hughton. Hughton (5/2 at SkyBet) has Premier League managerial experience of course, with Newcastle, and like Mackay, Hughton's Birmingham lost out in the Championship play-offs semi finals. But again, he won a lot of plaudits and has been linked with a move to a Premier League club again. Birmingham haven't been in a great financial shape, as they failed to submit their finances for the fourth time. This could put an embargo on Birmingham buying players in the summer, and president of the club Carson Yeung has been facing money-laundering charges out in Hong Kong as well. So there may a genuine exit route for Hughton, who has earned himself many plaudits in his short managerial career.
Those two really are the strongest options in Next Norwich Manager betting. Other names in the hat, but as outside shots are the likes of Steve Bruce, Lee Clark and Gus Poyet, but all, frankly are outsiders in what appears to be a two horse race.
Next Norwich Manger Betting Odds at SkyBet
Malky Mackay 7/4, Chris Hughton 5/2, Steve Bruce 4/1, Neil Lennon 6/1, lee Clark 6/1, Gus Poyet 12/1, Ian Holloway 10/1, Alan Curbishley 14/1
