Booking reopens on manager’s job after departure

BOOKMAKERS reopened booking on the Republic of Ireland manager’s job following the announcement of Roy Keane’s departure from Old Trafford.

At one stage, online betting site Beftair took early money and had the former Manchester United captain priced at 3-1. However, this faded out to 8-1 and later 11-1. Ladbrokes were offering punters odds of 7-1 on Keano becoming Brian Kerr’s replacement in the FAI top job.

Betfair’s Eoin Ryan said Keane is now among the favourites, behind Terry Venables and Kevin Keegan.

“This has really livened up the betting on this market and follows hot on the heels of a gamble for Keegan on Thursday. Initially, on hearing the news, our punters piled into Keane for the Ireland job, but some clever punters did manage to back him with us at as high as 79-1 a few weeks ago,” he said.

Paddy Power bookmakers were not quoting any prices for the Ireland job yesterday morning, but news of the Corkman’s immediate departure from Old Trafford changed things.

The Irish firm obviously began taking money on Keane and had him priced at 8-1 yesterday afternoon, behind Venables, Keegan and Roy’s old international teammate Steve Staunton.

There was also a scramble on where the 34-year-old will move to from here.

He has long hinted at an interest in playing with Glasgow Celtic and the Scottish club were odds-on favourites to win his signature. At 10-11 by lunchtime, they looked like the only runners, but heavy betting moved AC Milan from 25-1 to a 9-4 second favourite position by teatime while the Scottish league leaders were back to evens.

Any chance of him playing his next competitive club game at old stomping grounds with either Nottingham Forest of Cobh Ramblers seem remote, with Paddy Power offering 100-1 on either option. Cork City fans hopeful of attracting their native son to Turner’s Cross could get a price of 50-1 last night.

Others with a more serious chance of securing the services of Keane were Everton, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, which Paddy Power quoted at 16, 18 and 20 to one, respectively.