The odds have been slashed on Roy Keane replacing Stephen Kenny as the next Republic of Ireland manager.
Kenny looks destined to depart the Ireland hot seat after tonight's international friendly against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.
It comes after a hugely disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that saw them only pick up points against minnows Gibraltar.
READ MORE: Kenny responds to Hamann's 'inexcusable' jibe on Moran call-up
And now punters are backing former Ireland captain Keane to take over from Kenny, with the Corkman backed heavily in the past 48 hours.
Rachael Kane, spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “We’ve had the Next Ireland Manager market up for some time now, but we’ve never seen as much action around it in terms of bets as we have since last night.
“To put it into perspective, 50% of all bets placed on Roy Keane to be the next manager of the Republic of Ireland football team since the market opened up have been placed since midnight.
“It seems like something’s going down, and it’s not just Stephen Kenny!”
Boylesports' Lawrence Lyons added: “He may have been invited into the boxing ring with Jason McAteer in recent days, but punters are eyeing a different challenge for Roy Keane and they’re clearly warming to the idea of a sensational return to the Irish dugout.”
The betting is currently being headed by former Celtic manager Neil Lennon at 7/4, while Steve Bruce, who has been out of work since leaving West Brom last year, is the narrow 4/1 second favourite ahead of former Irish international Lee Carsley (9/2).
Next Republic of Ireland Manager
7/4 Neil Lennon
4/1 Steve Bruce
9/2 Lee Carsley
8/1 Roy Keane
10/1 Chris Hughton
10/1 Gus Poyet
16/1 Sam Allardyce
18/1 Mark Kennedy
20/1 Rafa Benitez
20/1 Chris Wilder
20/1 Alan Pardew
20/1 Damien Duff
25/1 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
25/1 Keith Andrews
25/1 Stephen Bradley
25/1 Anthony Barry
25/1 Robbie Keane
28/1 Mick McCarthy
33/1 John O’Shea
33/1 Kieran McKenna
33/1 Vladimir Petkovic
33/1 Ralph Hassenhuttl
50/1 Scott Brown
66/1 Graham Potter
66/1 Stephen O’Donnell
66/1 Tim Clancy
66/1 Sean Dyche
66/1 Steve Staunton
80/1 Dean Smith
80/1 Garry Monk
80/1 Andy Reid
100/1 Vera Pauw
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