Plunge on Jol to be next Premier League boss exit

A MONDAY morning plunge on Martin Jol has left bookmakers scratching their heads over which Premier League manager is likely to go next.

Under-pressure Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert had been a solid odds-on favourite across the board but now both he and Fulham gaffer Jol, who was 20-1 overnight, can be backed at 5-2. Both men are as short as 6-4 in places too. 

BetVictor spokesman Charlie McCann said: “The gamble has taken us by surprise to be honest and we don’t really understand why Jol has suddenly become of interest to punters; Paul Lambert, as a result, is out to 6-4 from 4-7 despite Villa’s poor run of form in recent weeks.” Now BetVictor are 6-4 Jol and 9-4 Lambert.

Media reports linking Jol with Schalke and another public vote of confidence in Lambert from Villa owner Randy Lerner must be part of the reason for the market move.

And the volatility of thought is reflected in the price of Southampton supremo Nigel Adkins too. Adkins is as short as 7-2 and as big as 9-1.

In the Championship managerial merry-go-round, Sean O'Driscoll has been appointed Bristol City boss while Blackpool have been given permission to talk to Dundee United chief Peter Houston.

Manchester City have lodged an appeal over Sunday's red card for captain Vincent Kompany at Arsenal.

If the three-match ban is upheld City will be without Kompany for Premier League games against Fulham and QPR and an FA Cup fourth-round tie against either Crystal Palace or Stoke.