Hasselbaink a better outside bet than Ravanelli for Boro job

After losing his job as manager of French outfit Ajaccio, it’s no surprise to see former Middlesbrough striker Fabrizio Ravanelli linked to the vacant post at the Riverside. However, there is another former Boro hotshot who would be much better received by fans on Teesside.

A fifth straight loss for Ajaccio in France’s Ligue 1 was enough to see Ravanelli relieved of his duties at the Corsican club, but the ‘White Feather’ has still been backed in at 10/1 to take over from Tony Mowbray at Boro.

As a player Ravanelli made an immediate impact on Teesside when he arrived from Juventus for the start of the 1996/97 campaign, where he announced his arrival with a Premier League hat-trick against Liverpool.

But, although he went on to score 17 goals, which helped Boro to the finals of both domestic cup competitions that season, the highest paid player in the top-flight at the time still couldn’t prevent the club from being relegated.

Ravanelli then left the club after just one season and alongside his public criticisms of Middlesbrough’s facilities and even the town itself, the Italian has left somewhat of a bitter-sweet legacy with supporters.

Now he has been sacked just months into his first proper managerial job, it’s difficult to see Middlesbrough plumping for the Italian.

A far more interesting prospect in the market is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who is a 66/1 shot with Ladbrokes.

Hasselbaink is doing well in his own maiden managerial post with Antwerp, where the Belgian club are currently sat fifth in the Second Division and unlike Ravanelli, the Dutchman left nothing but fond memories for Boro supporters.

During a two-year spell Jimmy-Floyd bagged 22 goals in 58 appearances and was part of Boro’s superb run to the UEFA Cup final.

Furthermore, his glittering goal-scoring career in the Premier League means has the great experience of English football and this also weighs in his favour over Ravanelli.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim three £10 free bets when you bet £10.