Rangnick in frame for England post

RALF RANGNICK has been introduced into the next England manager betting as the 7-2 second favourite with Betfair and Paddy Power after being sensationally linked with the position vacated by Sam Allardyce on Tuesday.

Rangnick, who it has been suggested was on the shortlist to replace Roy Hodgson in the summer, is currently director
of sports at controversial Bundesliga club Leipzig, who are being funded by sponsors Red Bull.

The 58-year-old last managed in the Bundesliga with Schalke in 2011 but has been credited with excellent work behind the scenes at Leipzig and Red Bull’s other club, Salzburg.

Rangnick was introduced into the betting at 50-1 by some firms but he is now as short as 7-4, while Arsene Wenger has also been a big mover to become England’s next permanent manager and is 6-1 fourth favourite.

Wenger, 40-1 when betting opened on Tuesday, was still 28-1 on Wednesday but a sustained gamble saw those odds tumble to as low as 4-1.

Betfair and Paddy Power are still laying 6-1 but Wenger was rumoured to be the Football Association’s first choice after Hodgson’s tenure came to an end and the Frenchman’s contract with Arsenal finishes in May.

It could be argued that caretaker Southgate is merely keeping the seat warm, although the former Middlesbrough chief remains in pole position to make his caretaker stint permanent.

Southgate is out to 2-1 with Coral to replace Big Sam on a permanent basis, while Steve Bruce is 5-1 and it is 16-1 bar the front three in the market.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has been left out of
the Welsh squad for their World Cup qualifying matches against Austria on Thursday and the October 9 date with Georgia because of a hamstring problem.

Northern Ireland forward Will Grigg is out of the squad for their double header against San Marino and Germany with manager Michael O’Neill saying: “Will asked to not be in the squad due to a family situation.”