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Leading bookmaker withdraws next Leeds manager market after series of large bets
By Alex Stevens
Bookmaker Sky bet has withdrawn its next Leeds manager market following a wave of large bets on Garry Monk.
The ex-Swansea manager was installed as the strong odds-on favourite to be the new Elland Road boss following the sacking of Steve Evans.
The club released a statement on Tuesday night to confirm that the 53-year-old had become the sixth manager axed by Massimo Cellino in his two-year reign as owner.
Sky Bet made Monk the favourite to be the next Leeds manager on Tuesday afternoon and his odds shortened to 2/7 in the immediate wake of Evans’ dismissal.
Monk’s odds continued to shorten after Sky Sports reported on Wednesday morning that he had opened talks with Leeds about the vacant managerial position.
Sky Bet withdrew the market on Wednesday night even though reports had emerged from Italy that former Blackburn manager Steve Kean was in the running to replace Evans.
Former Swans centre-back Monk was appointed manager of the Premier League club in February 2014 following the sacking of Michael Laudrup.
Monk guided the Welsh club to top-flight survival, followed by an eighth-placed finish the following season with a record points tally. However, he was sacked last November following a poor run of results that left the club facing a relegation battle.
Evans was given his marching orders even though Cellino admitted that the Scot had achieved the target he had been set when he was appointed last October of keeping the club in the Championship.
Leeds eventually finished 13th in the Championship, prompting Evans to declare his confidence in steering the club to a play-off spot next season.
However, Cellino and his fellow board members want a different type of manager to the experienced Scot, who has steered Rotherham and Crawley to promotion during his career.
Leeds, who have been publicly snubbed by MK Dons manager Karl Robinson and Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke in the last week, also revealed that “the process to appoint a new head coach is underway and a further announcement will be made in due course”.
In other Leeds news, Newcastle are planning a summer raid of England’s most promising youngsters including the Whites’ most prized asset.