Clark 11-8 for Leeds job after Huddersfield exit

By Max Oram 1:25PM 15 FEB 2012

LEE CLARK has assumed clear favouritism - at 11-8 - in the next permanent Leeds manager betting after suddenly being relieved of his Huddersfield Town duties on Wednesday lunchtime.

Clark, as short as 4-6 to take over at Elland Road, is known to be highly regarded by Whites' supremo Ken Bates and has frequently been linked with other Championship club posts in recent times after guiding the fourth-placed Terriers through a 43-game League One regular season unbeaten run.

But, in the middle of that streak, they lost last May's play-off final to Peterborough while defeat to section-leaders Charlton at the end of November brought an end to that sequence and Tuesday night's reverse to another promotion-pusher Sheffield United was a third in 12 league matches.

And Huddersfield chairman Dean Hoyle said in a club statement: "This was a very difficult decision; not one taken lightly or in response to one result. Concerns have been raised over recent weeks.

Lee and his coaching staff have put their all into the job over the past three seasons and he has made a huge contribution to the club.

However, with 16 matches to go we still have an opportunity to achieve promotion and we have made this change with this in mind."

Mick McCarthy, sacked by Wolves on Monday, is now 7-2 to take over at Leeds with Neil Warnock at 8-1 and Steve Bruce at 10-1. Caretaker chief Neil Redfearn, given three games in charge, and Billy Davies are 16-1 shots.

Clark may ultimately see himself managing in the Premier League and he has been handed a respectful 12-1 quote in the next Wolves manager betting.

But the hunt for McCarthy’s successor may be nearing a
conclusion with Alan Curbishley all the rage to take charge.

It is almost three-and-a-half years since Curbishley was
dismissed by West Ham but he has confirmed his desire to return to the dugout.

Wolves chairman Steve Morgan will begin interviewing
potential candidates on Wednesday but Curbishley is the rock-solid 8-15 favourite.

Warnock has been installed as a 6-4 favourite for the Huddersfield hotseat while Leeds' latest gaffer Simon Grayson is 9-4 to take over at the Galpharm.