Former Swansea boss Garry Monk emerging as dark horse for Derby role

Darren Wassall may have been given the role until the end of this season but the question of who will be in charge of Derby County next term remains a real poser.

David Moyes remains 5/2 favourite, but a stream of recent money has seen a new contender emerge in the form of Garry Monk.

The former Swansea City boss was as big as 16/1 on Thursday to lead the side into their first fixture of the 2016-17 season, but punters’ support has seen the 36-year-old cut initially into 6/1 before shortening further into 4/1.

If the Rams continue their recent form it looks pretty certain that any man coming in will be set for a season in the Championship as opposed to the Premier League as the East Midlands side continue to flounder.

While they still hold a place in the play-off places, four defeats and three draws in their last seven fixtures is far from promotion form.

A move for Monk could be seen as a statement of intent from the Derby board, in deciding to opt for a young, up-and-coming manager, as opposed to an experienced boss with the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

Despite a poor run that led to his departure at the Liberty Stadium, Monk’s Swansea spell was a fairly successful one.

The Bedford-born gaffer led the Swans to eighth place in the Premier League in his first full season as a manager, their second highest finishing position in the club’s history.

The money suggests that Monk is getting closer and closer to the Pride Park hotseat, but remains third in the betting behind the aforementioned Moyes and 3/1 chance Nigel Pearson.

The current man in charge, Wassall, didn’t get his reign off to the best of starts with a 1-0 defeat to MK Dons, and remains a 6/1 chance to be given a longer contract in the role.

Next up for the Rams is a trip to Brentford, who are similarly out of sorts themselves, with an away victory chalked up at 13/10.

All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing