ZGlmZnVzaW9uLXY2LWZhbm91dC5yYWNpbmdwb3N0LmNvbQ==NDQzdHJ1ZQ==U29jY2VyYmFzZVVzZXI=YVc4N1Z4NDFiNGgybTc4UTRpT1ZvZmhxM0RENHphQVM=

Allardyce 6-4 to make swift return

SAM ALLARDYCE was adamant he would be taking a break from football after he and West Ham parted company on Sunday, but bookmakers are not convinced as he has been installed as the favourite to be the next Sunderland manager.

Allardyce, who played for the Black Cats in the 1980s, is 6-4 to take the Stadium of Light helm after Dick Advocaat announced on Wednesday that he would not be staying at the club after steering them to Premier League safety.

Paul Clement, who was expected to be announced as Steve McClaren's replacement at Derby, is 5-1 with Hills and Ladbrokes following reports that the Sunderland board may hijack the Rams' bid for the Real Madrid assistant.

McClaren, meanwhile, is 12-1 third favourite with Paddy Power to take the post.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has announced he will be leaving Napoli at the end of the season, fuelling speculation he is about to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

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