Big Sam favourite to succeed Sven

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce remains the favourite to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as the next England manager, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.

But all the early money is for Dutchman Guus Hiddink, the current Australia and PSV Eindhoven manager, whose price has already been slashed from 12-1 to 8-1.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: “It looks wide open at the moment but all the enquiries have been for Hiddink so far.

“He certainly has the pedigree at the highest level and has been there and got the T-shirt – but it remains to be seen whether or not the FA will have the bottle to go for another foreigner.”

Eriksson will step down as England boss after the World Cup following comments he made to an undercover Sunday newspaper reporter.

Latest betting: Sam Allardyce 5-2, Alan Curbishley 3-1, Steve McClaren 7-2, Guus Hiddink 8-1, Ottmar Hitzfeld 8-1, Martin O’Neill 10-1, Steve Bruce 12-1, Luiz Felipe Scolari 12-1, Stuart Pearce 12-1, Sir Bobby Robson 16-1, Paul Jewell 20-1, Sir Trevor Brooking 20-1, Bryan Robson 25-1, Fabio Capello 25-1, Jose Mourinho 25-1, Arsene Wenger 33-1, Gerard Houllier 33-1, Peter Taylor 40-1, Harry Redknapp 66-1, Sir Alex Ferguson 66-1, Alan Shearer 66-1, Sammy Lee 66-1, Kevin Keegan 100-1.