WHEN ALEX FERGUSON initially announced he was to walk from Old Trafford in 2001, football fans had their say on who should be the next Manchester United boss.

And lots of them put their money where their mouth where there was, on various betting exchanges.

So in the coming days when the next Red Devils boss is announced, Betfair’s longest-running market will at last close.

Some 76 potential coaches have been backed to take over from Fergie, the betting firm said today. These are some of the names that traded as favourite to succeed the longest-serving manager in the Premier League:

• 3/1 Dave O’Leary – just had a nice pay-out from one former employer.
• 3/1 Roy Keane – now seen scowling at Adrian Chiles on ITV
• 6/1 Steve Bruce – promoted with Hull this weekend.
• Even Money – Martin O’Neill – sacked by Sunderland this season.

And those who traded at less than 6.0:

Traded at lower than 6.0

• Carlos Queiroz -  1.1
• David Moyes – 1.12
• Louis Van Gaal – 1.14
• Jose Mourinho – 1.98
• Martin O’Neill – 2.0
• Pep Guardiola – 2.6
• Marcello Lippi – 3.0
• Ottmar Hitzfeld – 3.1
• Roy Keane - 4.0
• Fabio Capello – 4.0
• Sven-Goran Eriksson – 4.0
• Steve McClaren – 4.1
• Jurgen Klopp – 4.6
• Mark Hughes – 4.9
• David O’Leary – 5.0
• Martin Jol – 5.0
• Paul Ince – 5.0
• Alex McLeish – 5.0

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