Schalke Champions League hero a threat to Martinez’ Everton hopes
Published:Although Roberto Martinez remains a heavy 4/9 favourite to take the Everton reins, punters are unlikely to get rich from such a skinny price regarding the former Wigan chief.
And it should be noted that the Spaniard’s price to succeed David Moyes at Goodison Park is on the drift, with the FA Cup-winning ex-Latics boss as short as 1/6 immediately after quitting the DW Stadium.
As such, investment in longer-price candidates could prove prudent, and 10/1 shot Ralf Rangnick is of particular interest, seemingly emerging from nowhere as a serious contender for the post.
Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright has held talks with the former Schalke manager, who led the Bundesliga outfit to a 2011 Champions League semi-final, and it is believed he left their London meeting mightily impressed with the 54-year-old’s vision for the club’s future.
Indeed Rangnick, who speaks fluent English, boasts 30 years of managerial experience, the majority of which has come in Germany’s top flight.
And with German football’s stock never higher, that will serve only as a further positive to his chances of landing the Merseyside vacancy.
His Schalke exit occurred of Rangnick’s own accord, with health reasons cited, but after returning to football in a sporting director capacity with Salzburg in 2012, he is now ready to return to top-level management.
And with that in mind, Kenwright could have a very difficult decision to make, as he takes his time in choosing the ideal man to build upon Moyes’ 11-year legacy at the club.
Of course, Martinez remains odds-on for the Goodison Park position, and will no doubt cite his Premier League managerial experience and recent FA Cup success when meeting Kenwright again.
As Manuel Pellegrini prepares to take over at Manchester City though, a vacancy in Martinez’ homeland emerges at Malaga, a position which he is also in the running for.
The possibility of the highly-rated 39-year-old taking that post therefore makes Rangnick look yet better value at 10/1 to become the next Everton boss.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
