Stephen Kenny backed into favouritism to take on Irish managerial role

Stephen Kenny is the new favourite to become Ireland's next permanent manager, replacing Mick McCarthy at the top of the betting in the market to fill the position created by the decision of the FAI to part company with Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane by mutual consent.

Kenny had been as big as 6-1 with BoyleSports when news broke of the FAI's need for a new boss and the Dundalk manager was steadily supported throughout the day.

He is 6-4 with BoyleSports and Paddy Power, but other bookmakers go odds-on while McCarthy, who was a best-priced evens at one stage, has drifted out to 5-2 with Coral and Ladbrokes.

If the betting is correct it's a two-horse race with bookmakers offering 20-1 bar the front pair with the likes of Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce, Paul Cook and Brian Kerr all on the drift.

Ireland have won only one of their last 11 matches, a 2-1 success over USA in June, and have failed to score in their last four outings, dropping down into the third pot of seeds for the Euro 2020 qualifying draw which takes place in Dublin on Sunday December 2.

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