Jose Mourinho is the 9/2 favourite to be Liverpool’s next permanent manager following the uncertaintly surrounding Rafa Benitez and his contract situation at Anfield.

With speculation rife that Rafa’s exit could be sooner rather than later attention is already tuning to who might next try to capture the long-awaited league title for the Liverpool faithful. And with Mourinho repeatedly expressing a desire to return to the Premier League he has been firmly installed as the early favourite by Paddy Power.

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Mourinho is followed in the betting by Aston Villa’s Martin O’Neill at 9/1 with his good work at the Midlands club sure to have been noted by the bigwigs of the Big Four. Other names in the running include Frank Rijkaard at 10/1 with former Chelsea manager Big Phil Scolari at 12/1 and Sven Goran Eriksson at 14/1. ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish is also 14/1 for a return to the Anfield hotseat. Former players Robbie Fowler and Steve Staunton are the 150/1 outsiders.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “Mourinho may have been public enemy number one amongst Liverpool fans when he was at Chelsea but they may have to forgive and forget. Certainly Jose’s open desire to return to the Premier League makes him the most obvious contender to bring Liverpool their coveted league title.”

Where Next For Rafa

As for Rafa, for now he remains 13/8 to still be at Liverpool next season although is just 9/4 to start the next campaign as manager of Liverpool’s Wednesday night opponents Real Madrid. Benitez is 8/1 to find himself at big spending Manchester City and 20/1 for a return to Valencia.

Paddy Power and other bookmakers were flooded with Benitez exit bets on Wednesday morning with Paddy Power even taking bets of 50/1 that Rafa would leave the club before the end of the day despite Liverpool’s massive game in the evening against Real Madrid.

LIVERPOOL BETTING

Next Permanent Liverpool Manager

9/2 Mourinho

9/1 O’Neill

10/1 Rijkaard

11/1 Mancini

12/1 Ancelotti

12/1 Scolari

14/1 Pellegrini

14/1 Dalglish

14/1 Eriksson

14/1 Ramos

16/1 Houllier

18/1 Hiddink

20/1 Van Basten

20/1 Klinsmann

22/1 Bilic

25/1 Moyes

33/1 Puel

33/1 Hitzfeld

40/1 Arena

150/1 Fowler

150/1 Staunton

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Others available:

Where Will Rafa Start Next Season

13/8 Liverpool

9/4 Real Madrid

8/1 Man City

12/1 Inter Milan

20/1 Valencia

50/1 Barcelona

33/1 Atletico Madrid

14/1 Chelsea

80/1 Arsenal

80/1 Everton

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