Newcastle United fans – apologies. Paddy Power can’t do anything about the appointment of Joe Kinnear. Other than ridicule it repeatedly on social media.

Tough starts to season for Man City, West Ham and Fulham. All facing Joe Kinnear in August.—
Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 19, 2013

Yes, while JK’s appointment may give us juvenile social ammunition for the coming months, the news has generally gone down like a Charles Saatchi lunch date.

What we can do is line your pockets.

• Newcastle United play Manchester City in their opening Premier League fixture of the 2013/2014 season on August 17. 
• Today Paddy Power gives a free £5 bet to supporters who have shown their loyalty by already registering Newcastle United as their favourite club on our team pages.

With Team Pages, Paddy Power can reward fans when they’ve suffered a bad experience. Last season, supporters of Wigan, Manchester United, Watford, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool were among those to whom we gave extra rewards such as free bets. (We also made this video for three Liverpool Team Page fans).

Paddy Power’s Team Pages also provide the following key information for football fans…

• Head-to-head results, home and away, against the opposition
• What time your team is most likely to score…or if you’re Aston Villa, concede
• All the latest odds that affect your team betting

Ts&Cs

• Only available to customers who selected Newcastle United on Paddy Power Team Pages by 23:59 on June 18
• £/€5 free bet to be used on Man City v Newcastle opening day Premier League game
• Free bet stakes not returned in winnings
• Free bet expires at 23:59 on June 30

NO ORDINARY JOE – Already Kinnear has made an impact at Newcastle. Just not the one most fans would have wanted (pic: Inpho)

He’s barely got his feet in the door and already Joe Kinnear is ruffling a few feathers around Newcastle. And by ‘ruffling a few feathers’ I do in fact mean ‘doing the verbal equivalent of ripping his shirt off, tying his tie around his head and beating chest shouting ‘come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough’.

After giving an expletive-laden interview over the weekend, Kinnear (66) spoke to Talksport last night to clear the air. We’re not sure he achieved that objective, but here are some of the choice quote from the chat:

On the Newcastle media …

The trouble is there are a lot of Geordies up there who are influenced from the media set. And the fact is that I stood up to about 100 journalists that night – it was the same night we beat Tottenham 2-1. Lots of them – not all of the the Geordie fans – were sucked in to it. If they’d looked at what I’d done in the job carefully, they would have said I done a good job

That’s the name of the game …

They’ve got some magnificent midfield players – Tiote, Ben Afra [sic], Yohan Kebabs [sic], Sissoko. They’re very solid in that game. Upfront, last season we lost our top goalscorer when Demba Ba went to Chelsea. Then you have someone like Cissy [sic] who was the next top goalscorer with eight. Then there was a big drop. Cabaye got a few, Hatem Ben Afri [sic] but we need someone to assist Cissy

No ego …

I’m having lunch with Alan Pardew to discuss our gameplan for the new season. We both have the final say on players coming into the club. And we’ve got Graeme Carr as well. We’ll discuss the strengths and weaknesses between us. No-one’s got an ego. I don’t have an ego.

That’s the name of the game … [Part 2]

I brought Krul there. He’s a terrific goalkeeper. Shoala Anamobi [sic] is still there. Goatierrez [sic] is still there. I know enough of the players, but we’re still short some quality players

MEAT AND DRINK TO HIM – Yohan Kebabs is one of the Newcastle players Kinnear is happy with

That pesky media again …

Already they’re jumping on the bandwagon – ‘Oh watch out Pardo’ – that’s the snidey press. That’s the people up there and around the area that I’ve upset who have a grudge. I expect it so it’s water off a duck’s arse

No ego … [Part 2]

Managers these days are lucky to last two seasons. The fans always stamp their feet and if they’re not happy with what’s going on the the manager gets the bullet. Unfortunately for them, I’ve never been sacked in my life. Look at my record

A proven track record … kind of

When you’re at Wimbledon, there ain’t no budget. You find the players yourself. We didn’t have any scouts. We went to non-league places and found players. We trained them and worked with them and sold them for millions. It’s as simple as that

People say I haven’t got experience in buying and selling players, sure I have. I bought Dean Holdsworth for 50 grand, sold him for £3 million. I sold John Scales for £3 million, I think he was a free transfer. I sold Robbie Earle for X, Y and Z

No ego … [Part 3]

They keep saying to me ‘what did I do?’ Where have these people been? Have they been on another planet? I’ve played in five cup finals and won the lot. I’ve had over 400 games for Tottenham Hotspur. I’ve been manager of the year three times. I’ve traveled the world as a manager

Time for some brown-nosing

I think Michael (Ashley) is a very generous owner and he’s one of the best owners in the business to work for. We’ll make money on certain players, but we will be getting finance to come in and take other players. If we spell it out to him that we need a quality striker, I’m sure he’ll pay up

Ready, willing and table?

The owner wants us to be successful. He doesn’t want us to ever be in the position that he found us. We finished fifth two seasons ago and last season we finished 15th or 16th from the bottom

To all the haters …

To all the Newcastle fans who don’t support this decision, what do they want? I heard that silly comment ‘what can I attract?’. I can open the door to any football manager in the world – anyone. I spent my whole life picking up the phone and talking to Alex Ferguson – week in, week out – ‘what would you do? What would you do? What would you do?’. I can pick the phone up at any time of the day and speak to Arsene Wenger. I can pick the phone up and speak to any manager in the league – any manager in all divisions

A work of smart

I don’t know what angle they’ve got. Some of them are talking out of their backside. a load of tosh and I’m not accepting it. I’ve certainly got more intelligence than them

LISTEN HERE FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW

It should be another entertaining season on Tyneside. Toon in for all the latest Newcastle odds for the 2013/14 season

Oh well, at least the fixtures are out on Wednesday so that’ll pass a day or two.

#2ndcoming

‘I am back because we feel we are in the best moments of our careers, ready to work together again and in much better conditions this time to succeed in what this club wants, which is stability.

‘My career has been built and raised on success. I was able to achieve success and win trophies and leave different types of legacies at every club. I have to believe in that.’
Jose Mourinho at Chelsea’s press conference this afternoon.

West London was shut down today after Jose Mourinho walked on water from Madrid to offer salvation to Chelsea fans.

The  #2ndcoming of the self-styled Special One, or the Happy One as he is now known, was unveiled at Stamford Bridge this afternoon allowing the Blues’ faithful to bask in the glory of the cheekiest and holiest wink in football.

Specially commissioned billboards by the Paddy Power arts and crafts department were erected around the stadium and across London with the tableaus including odds of 12/5 that the Portuguese miracle maker will reclaim the Premier League title for the club next season.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, the man with more money than God, will be hoping Jose can use his special powers on the squad to cure Fernando Torres, resurrect Florent Malouda and exorcise John Terry while Chelsea fans will just be hoping that Jose’s return brings them trophies.

Paddy Power is offering 50/1 about a holy trinity of silverware for the former Real Madrid manager in his first season back at his beloved Blues.

Commenting on Jose’s return a Paddy Power spokesman said:

‘When the Premier League lost its red devil at the end of last season sports writers and fans across the country looked to the heavens in desperation. We’ve all been rewarded with the #2ndcoming of Jose and our special work of art is a priceless celebration of the moment that even Da Vinci would be proud of.’

• Prepare to worship Paddy’s Mourinho specials here
• Get ready to praise our Chelsea specials here

Mourinho and Michael Ballack in the middle of one of their famous ‘pout-offs’

By Aidan Elder | Chief sports writer

‘You should never go back’ is one cliché that’s been trotted out a lot this week as Jose Mourinho was confirmed as the latest Chelsea sacking waiting to happen. Like a relationship that didn’t seem so utterly hideous in retrospect or watching any Adam Sandler movie more than once, going back doesn’t always work out.

If you enjoyed success the first time around, anything else is just going to be a disappointment, isn’t it? With the Special One, we can’t be too sure and the mixed bag of results from these five managers who went back to previous jobs should explain why.

Don’t over-react Fabio, in a few years you’ll have to pretend Stephen Warnock could be part of a World Cup winning squad

Fabio Capello

(Real Madrid 1996-97 & 2006-07)
Capello has basically built a career on going back to former employers. On top of playing for Milan, he had three separate stints as a manager and also managed Roma and Juventus after playing for them. Arguably His most notable return was at Real Madrid as he tried to turn a later generation of Galacticos into winners rather than expensive mannequins used mainly to sell jerseys.

First time around
His defensive style was ill-suited to the unrealistic expectations of the Real supports, but he still managed to win the La Liga title by combining the attacking threat of Roberto Carlos with the formidable strike force of Suker, Raul and Mijatovic.

When he went back
He won a league despite being highly unpopular and unsuited to the unrealistic expectations of the Real supporters.

Verdict: It was always going to be a hiding to nothing, but he still prospered in difficult circumstances.

‘Hands up who’s not sure why I agreed to come back’

Kevin Keegan

(Newcastle 1992-97 & 2008)
Score some goals for Newcastle and they’ll metaphorically fellate you for life. It doesn’t even really matter if those goals result in any actual silverware. Towards the end of his career, Keegan smacked a load of goals in for the Magpies and that was enough to get him the manager’s job almost a decade later despite having zero experience.

First time around
The early to mid 1990s were halcyon days for Newcastle. PJ and Duncan were riding high in the pop charts, Jimmy Nail was considered some sort of Geordie renaissance man and the football team were resurgent after Kevin Keegan guided them back into the top flight before using all his skill to manoeuvre the team into a position where they could throw away a league title. All in all, a very successful, enjoyable and tactically naïve first stint in charge.

When he went back
After the authoritarianism, rigid adherence to tactics and grievous bodily harm of the Big Sam era, Kevin Keegan was brought in to provide the antidote. Initially his ‘tactics are a kind of small sweet’ attitude was a breath of fresh air, but even living in Nottingham would seem nice if you’d spent most of your life in captivity. He left eight months later after reports that Mike Ashley wouldn’t finance the spending on high class players who could cover up Keegan’s tactical ineptitude.

Verdict: His first spell was a lot of fun and provided that hi-larious ‘I would love it’ rant so second time round was never going to live up to that.

The jacket went on to further success, starring alongside Nicholas Lyndhurst in awful sitcom, Goodnight Sweetheart

Kenny Dalglish

(Liverpool 1985 – 1991 & 2011-12)
As a player, he was a Liverpool legend, amassing goals and a collection of medals that even Roy Race would consider to be too fanciful. Six league titles, three European Cups, four League Cups, two FA Cups – it would practically be illegal not to give him a chance at managing the club.

First time around
Despite having no experience, Dalglish maintained the high standards of the Paisley and Fagan eras. By cleverly getting his team to drink slightly less than the other drunkards that made up a lot of the 1980s English top flight teams, the Anfield club dominated domestic football in the late 80s. Sadly, the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster placed too much strain on Dalglish who worked tirelessly to provide comfort to the victims’ families.

When he went back
The goodwill towards King Kenny for his post-Hillsborough work and memories of the glory years meant that despite being out of management for over ten years, most fans he was worth a shot. After Roy Hodgson brought in Paul Konchesky, anything seems like a good idea in comparison. An encouraging start saw him get the job permanently. He won the league cup in that season, but it shows you how much people care about it that it couldn’t earn him another season in the role. And neither could an FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

Verdict: It was worth a shot and despite showing some promise, there wasn’t enough evidence of progress.

It really takes something special for Harry to be considered the eye candy in any picture, but this might just do it

Harry Redknapp

(Portsmouth 2002-2004 & 2005-2008)
Harry’s reputation as a wheeler-dealer who could get results with a cheque-book and an owner who didn’t ask too many questions was established during his stint at West Ham. Moving to Portsmouth – a club with the vibrant support, rich history and slightly deluded sense of where they belong in the pecking order seemed like a similar challenge.

First time around
Redknapp was appointed to the always vague position of ‘Director of football’ at Fratton Park in 2001 and all that enjoying post-match finger-food and laughing at the owner’s not especially funny jokes paid off when he got the nod as manager in March 2002. He kept the club in the Championship (Division One in old money) that season and next season they went up to the Premier League as champions. He kept them up before an argument with Milan Mandaric over who was more of a ‘geezer’* resulted in his resignation towards the end of 2004.

*this may not be true. It may have been down to a difference of opinion over Harry’s assistant, Jim Smith

When he went back
Harry pissed off pretty much everyone on the south coast with his bed-hopping from Pompey to Southampton back to Pompey again. According to then Southampton chairman, Rupert Lowe, Redknapp saw Portsmouth as his ‘spiritual home’ – possibly because of the club’s shared fondness for dubious accounting practices. On the field, things went well with Redknapp getting them up the Premier League table and winning an FA Cup. We wouldn’t comment on the financial dealings off the pitch, but suffice to say, the club now count David Connolly as a marquee signing.

Verdict: The return was a resounding success. Providing he never wants to go for a drink in Southampton ever again.

Louis van Gaal’s tie tries to calm down some El Clasico anger

Louis van Gaal

(Barcelona 1997-2000 & 2002-03)
The Dutchman’s reputation was soaring thanks to a mega successful start to his managerial career at Ajax winning three league titles, one European Cup and a host of other titles you’d probably care about if you were Dutch. In 1997, he got the call to manage Barcelona.

First time around
Van Gaal enjoyed success with Barcelona, winning two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey, but he didn’t get along with a lot of the players, notably Rivaldo who thought he was too good to have to do much running. He also didn’t like the media, feeling they made very little effort with their puns on his name. Oh well – you win some, you Louis some.

When he went back
This was just a really bad idea along the lines of getting Tulisa to organise your coke deal. He left after six months in charge with Barcelona being so far behind Real that they couldn’t even use their smug sense of superiority that occasionally masks their lack of results.

Verdict: He probably shouldn’t have gone back, but when Jason McAteer has pretty much knocked you out of World Cup qualification, you probably can’t help feeling things can only get better.

THE SPECIAL ONE: Not content with a great Premier League record he nails ‘mysterious photo’

By Josh Powell | Premier League betting

Jose Mourinho upset as many people as he could as he left Real Madrid but now he has returned to a place where he is loved. Mourinho is back at the Bridge and has his eyes set on bringing the Premier League crown back to London, and there might be just one man capable of stopping him if you follow the history books.

The Special One had a win record of 67 per cent at Chelsea, the highest in their history if you take out interim managers Gus Hiddink and Ray Wilkins. He won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup during his successful spell in England.

Seven of the current crop of Premier League managers have faced Mourinho before and all bar one have yet to record a win against The Special One in the Premier League*. A lot changes in six years, apart from in Arsenal’s trophy cabinet, but Mourinho’s dominance is clear when you look at his record against other Premier League managers.

*For the purposes of this Roberto Martinez is treated as the Everton manager and Manuel Pellegrini as the Manchester City gaffer. They look like pretty much done deals.

Arsene Wenger – 0%

Wenger faced Jose six times in the Premier League with Arsenal and fared better than most despite not picking up three points. The two sides played out four draws in six games and usually featured in low-scoring affairs. Five of the six head-to-heads had less than 2.5 goals and Arsenal managed just four goals against the Blues.

Martin Jol – 17%

The only current Premier League manager to have defeated Jose Mourinho in the Premier League. Jol’s victory came on November 5 2006 as manager of Tottenham. Aaron Lennon managed to stop running into defender’s shins long enough to get the winner in a 2-1 victory.  Of the other five meetings Jol lost four and drew one while he was at White Hart Lane.

FUL’ OF IT: Rubbing Martin Jol’s belly is now regarded as lucky in some parts of London

Steve Bruce – 0%

Incredibly, despite managing Birmingham at the time, Bruce didn’t have the worst record against the Special One. In four games he picked up two draws and conceded just four goals. Unfortunately his side scored just once against Chelsea, a goal from Walter Pandiani in a 1-1 draw in 2005. Pandiani is currently plying his trade in the third level of Spanish football which sounds like utter tripe.

David Moyes – 0%

David Moyes will arguably be Mourinho’s biggest challenger now that he has jumped from Everton to Manchester United. His record against Jose does not bode well for United fans as in six games during Mourinho’s three-year spell, Moyes lost four and drew two. The man who is trying to fill Fergie’s boots wasn’t able to keep one clean sheet against Mourinho and the Special One has the upper hand going in to the new season.

Alan Pardew – 0%

It will surprise nobody, but Alan Pardew has the worst Premier League record against Mourinho in this little experiment. He lost all four Premier League matches he faced against Jose’s Chelsea when he was manager of West Ham and Charlton. Pardew was on the end of 3-1 and 4-1 thumpings, conceding nine goals in all and bagging just two.

PARD LUCK: Pardew’s record against Mourinho is more worrying than his ridiculous contract at Newcastle

Mark Hughes – 14%

The new Stoke manager won’t look forward to meeting Chelsea this season, but he does have three points to his name against the Special One. Hughes had seven games against Mourinho when he was in charge of Blackburn, losing five of them, drawing one and winning one. A memorable 0-0 in September 2007, the last league game before Mourinho jumped ship. Hughes managed just three goals against Chelsea in seven games, conceding 15 and generally getting spanked quite easily.

Sam Allardyce – 0%

‘Big Sam’ might have been the chief of some dubious talent at Bolton Wanderers between 2004-2007 but he still managed to take two draws off Mourinho in six games. We know who the real Special One is. That does unfortunately brush over the game in October 2005 when Bolton were 1-0 up at half-time and then got battered 5-1 at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho’s side scored four goals in nine minutes on that occasion.

Mourinho has nothing to fear heading back to the Premier League, bar Roman Abramovich’s revolving door and Fernando Torres’ mood swings. In total he has a 67 per cent win rate against current Premier League managers he has faced in the league before and has lost just one of 39 games.

13 managers are stepping up to the plate to face The Special One in the Premier League for the first time as he takes over his new-look Chelsea side. Will Mourinho’s league dominance continue or can a few more managers pull a ‘Martin Jol’ at Stamford Bridge?

You can back Chelsea to win the 2013/14 Premier League at 12/5 and check out all the outright odds here

BACK FOR MOUR: Will Jose’s return to Chelsea be as successful as his first stint in charge?

By Josh Powell | Jose Mourinho specials

Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge was never really in doubt but it was finally confirmed over the weekend that the Special One was back at Chelsea. It surprised precisely nobody, but the confirmation sparked die-hard Chelsea fans into a wild frenzy of posting ludicrous statements on Twitter. Here is a small window into the blindly optimistic world of deluded Chelsea fans.

Yes Mourinho! Chelsea for the treble! #CFC #MikelsWonderTeam

— Matthew Plumb (@Plumby94) June 3, 2013

Sure Mourinho had a bad last season with Madrid, only to make it that more special when he wins the treble with Chelsea #WelcomeHome

— Nico Ballón (@KidNico_) June 3, 2013

Jose mourinho is back to Chelsea babehhh! Hoping for a treble next season!

— Tarsyan Raj (@Tarsyanraj) June 3, 2013

Despite this well-constructed logic that Mourinho will definitely win every game ever now he’s back at Chelsea, Paddy isn’t convinced. It’s odds-on at 4/5 that the Special One finishes the 2013/14 season with an empty trophy cabinet.

Since Mourinho left London for the first time less than six years ago Chelsea have turned over eight managers and Roman Abramovich isn’t known for his sentimentality. The boss demands results and if Mourinho doesn’t provide them Abramovich won’t be shy in showing him the door. It is 4/1 for Jose not to be in charge on the first day of the 2014/15 season and 7/2 that he’s gone before the end of this season.

Going into a new season where both Manchester sides are changing managers and Arsenal are once again aiming to finish fourth does give Chelsea fans a little reason to be optimistic, and Paddy has made the Blues 12/5 to win the crown this year. It is 11/8 that Jose wins one major trophy in his first season back at the Bridge and 13/2 that he wins two.

For the optimistic Chelsea fans out there you can back Mourinho to win the quadruple at 250/1 and he’s 25/1 to win the Premier League and the Champions League in the 2013/14 season.

Dive into the latest Mourinho specials here and head over this way for Chelsea’s trophy odds this season

SUAR-Y, I GOT TO GO: Despite the unreserved support from his club, Suarez is seeking a new start

With Luis Suarez seemingly setting up a move away from Anfield with his recent comments, Liverpool are being linked with a host of possible replacements.

Following his latest lengthy ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic the Uruguayan appears to be fed up with all the negative attention he receives from the British media. What is the world coming to when a professional athlete can’t bite a colleague with everyone acting like he’s bitten someone?

“It’s a good moment for a change of environment because of all I’ve been through.”

Real Madrid are reported to be interested in Suarez following his 30-goal season for the Reds. With the fee expected to be as high as £50m, Liverpool would make a healthy profit on the the £22.8m they paid Ajax in 2011. It would also hand Brendan Rodgers a healthy purse to find a replacement. Here’s a look at five of the more likely options.

1. David Villa

WERE VILL’ I GO? – With plenty of suitors, snagging his signature will be a real coup (pic: Inpho)

The Spanish international looks set to end his spell at the Camp Nou following several transfer windows of rumors. After three seasons of living in the shadow of Lionel Messi the under-appreciated striker is seeking a new challenge as he enters the latter stages of his career. Although at 31-years of age he may not fit the club’s transfer policy he remains one of the best and most consistent goalscorers in the world. With an expected price tag of about £15m Rodgers could well convince the paymasters of his merits. Whoever lands his signature is getting one hell of a player.

2. Gonzalo Higuain

Real Madrid’s prolific Argentine has already announced he’ll leave the Spanish side this summer, suggesting Juventus is his most likely destination. Despite not always being first choice during his time at the Bernabeu, Higuain has scored 106 goals in 188 league games. At 25 there’s still room for improvement. He doesn’t offer the all round play of Suarez but if you’re looking for someoen to stick the ball in the back of the net the Argentine is a great choice. He won’t come cheap and Liverpool may have to pay over the odds if his mind is already set on Italy.

3. Christian Benteke

Unlikely to be viewed as direct replacement, the Belgian striker showed enough this season, scoring 19 league goals, to suggest he should be playing at a bigger club than Aston Villa. He’ll also be comparatively cheaper than other options at somewhere in the £10-15m range. Combined with being just 22-years of age he’ll be a tempting prospect for a club looking to buy young and develop.

4. Luis Muriel

Strong, fast and skillful the 22-year old Colombian shared the Serie A young player of the year award with Stephan El Shaarawy last season whilst on-loan at Lecce. He returned to Udinese this season and has impressed with his eye for goal. He has the technique to fit in to Brendan Rodgers’ style of play whilst also possessing the speed and power to play more directly when necessary. He cost Udinese £1.5m in 2010 but after last season’s displays he is likely to cost Liverpool somewhere around the £20m mark. Young enough to please the club’s owners and more exciting enough to please the fans.

5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

After failing to make the break-through at AC Milan, Gabon sriker Aubameyang finally found his feet in Ligue 1 with St Etienne. He has been consistent over the last two seasons, scoring 39 goals in 82 games, and coming from France he’ll be more adept at dealing with the Premier League’s physical style. He has hinted at leaving the French side and at £10m or so and at 23-years of age he ticks a lot of boxes.

AB FAB: Cesc is 7/4 to be reunited with Robin van Persie in the new season

The Manchester United fans in Power Tower are buzzing around the office today at the thought of potentially signing Cesc Fabregas and sticking another two fingers up to Arsene Wenger.

The Spanish play-maker spent eight years at Arsenal before heading back to Barcelona where we had been through the youth system. But two years later and Fabregas still hasn’t established himself as a first team player, amidst reports that he’s eyeing up a move away.

David Moyes could be eyeing him up to strengthen United’s midfield which is buckling under the weight of Anderson’s waist line. Darren Fletcher is still struggling with illness, Paul Scholes has definitely retired this time and Tom Cleverley arguably didn’t up to the hype. Expect @cesc4official to get plenty of abuse and a scathing nickname off Piers Morgan if he does end up at Old Trafford.

Although the Spaniard is not necessarily a regular in Barcelona’s side, the stats still show what a talent he is and why he’d be a great signing in the Premier League.

• Fabregas played 2186 passes this season, an average of more than 70 a game.
• He had an 88.5 per cent pass success rate in La Liga.
• Cesc was Barcelona’s second highest goalscorer this year with 10 La Liga goals. That’s the same amount Mario Gotze bagged for Borussia Dortmund in Germany and one more than Mesut Ozil scored for Real Madrid.
• Just eight players in Europe have more assists than Fabregas this year.
• Fabregas took 49 shots this season giving him a 20 per cent success rate in front of goal. Frank Lampard had a 19 per cent strike rate in the Premier League, Robin van Persie had an 18 per cent strike rate and Luis Suarez had just a 12 per cent success rate.
• If you took away Fabregas’ goals and assists, Barcelona would be 13 points worse off in the league this season.
• Fabregas was deployed as a striker on nine occasions in the league, scoring four goals and setting up three when he played up front.

Cesc could head back to the Emirates and continue the Gunners’ long tradition of not winning things. Arsenal have first refusal if Fabregas is to be sold but you’d expect the World Cup and European Championship winner to be after something more than celebrating a top four finish.

If there is decent money being knocked around expect Manchester City, PSG and Monaco to throw their names into the hat. The three big spending sides won’t be shy in getting out the cheque-book for Cesc. A reunion with Pep Guardiola could be on the cards as well, with Champions League Champions Bayern Munich interested in strengthening their squad.

Check out all the odds for Fabregas’ next club here

Cesc Fabregas’ next permanent club

7/4 Manchester United
11/4 Arsenal
9/1 Bayern Munich
12/1 PSG
14/1 Manchester City
14/1 Borussia Dortmund
20/1 Monaco

HUGHES THE MAN? Mark Hughes has taken the reigns at the Britannia Stadium

By Josh Powell | The managerial merry-go-round

There’s anarchy on the streets, bedsheets are being torn off to create huge banners, and local residents are on Sky News saying it is the worse thing to happen to the city of Stoke since Robbie Williams released Rudebox in 2006.

Mark Hughes has penned a three-year deal with the Potters and is already on the end of some prime abuse. Just a brief look through the search ‘Mark Hughes’ on Twitter gives you a pretty good insight into how most of Stoke is feeling about his appointment, and an equally good insight into why these people need to work harder on their spelling.

63 miles up the M6 and Everton fans are buzzing with anticipation about their impending appointment of Roberto Martinez. Puzzling considering Martinez has just managed to get Wigan spectacularly relegated after three years of trying.

Could it be therefore, that Martinez is over-rated because he is a ‘nice guy’ and Mark Hughes is actually under-rated because people tend to think he is a bit of a grumpy nob?

When you compare the two appointments, taking into consideration Martinez is likely to be at Goodison next season, Stoke’s business in the manager market could actually prove to be better, despite the uproar from their fans.

Pulis’ career statistics in management are not too dissimilar to that of Mark Hughes. Sparky has a slightly better win record at 39.53 per cent but he has lost a higher percentage of games than Pulis.

If you turn the percentages into points over a 38 game season however, the difference is two points in the favour of Mark Hughes. Both managers would theoretically lose 13 games each, with Hughes picking up 15 wins and 10 draws and Pulis racking up 14 wins and 11 draws. That leaves Hughes on 55 points, enough for a top eight finish this year and the kind of improvement Stoke fans are hoping for.

Tony Pulis would theoretically finish the season on 53 points, level with one Roberto Martinez, if you apply the same theory. Everton fans look away now, or abuse me via @paddypower, whichever suits you.

As the chunky green section of the pie shows, David Moyes has a far superior  win rate as a manager than Roberto Martinez. For the record narrowly avoiding relegation by the skin of your teeth year after year is not an achievement. A last-minute FA Cup winner might temporarily distract fans from the cold reality that Martinez has failed to win 72 per cent of matches in the Premier League.

Stoke are 7/2 in the betting to get relegated next season with Everton a potentially more tempting 20/1. By no means will either club go down this season but both sides are looking for progression and in 12 months time, Stoke could be much the happier.

The Potters are aiming to establish themselves as a top ten team and have a supportive backroom with a few quid to spend. It is the stable environment that Mark Hughes should relish after the chaos of QPR and despite his critics, he has the ability to navigate a top half finish.

Everton are aiming for European qualification but fighting for a top six place with Martinez at the helm, a shoe-string budget, no Marouane Fellaini and an out of sorts Nikica Jelavic is not an appealing proposition.

Will Martinez come unstuck with the Toffees? Dive into the Premier League betting here and have your say on Twitter

A TOFF’ DECISION? – Martinez’s decision to leave Wigan leaves the door open for a move to Everton

We’re not far off a month since it was confirmed David Moyes would be slipping into the ass-groove vacated by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Everton promised that there would be no knee-jerk reaction and they’ve delivered. Spectacularly and boringly delivered.

The backlash from fans about the changing of the famous Everton crest for a version that looks like it’s been done by a four year old in Microsoft Paint has distracted fans from not a whole lot has been happening, but the news that Roberto Martinez will leave Wigan and has been approached by the Toffees has suddenly catapulted us towards a resolution. Here’s how the betting on the major contenders to be Next Everton Manager has gone over the last three weeks or so. (Current prices listed below are subject to change)

Roberto Martinez

The Spaniard was always considered a front runner for the position even before Wigan’s FA Cup win and even after he finally succeeded in getting them relegated. Thankfully for him, people are rating beating Manchester City in a one-off game as a better achievement than not being better than Aston Villa over the course of a 38 game league campaign, so it looks like Martinez getting the job is only a matter of signing the contract and finding out there’s not much in the club piggy bank.

ODDS – May 8: 5/6 | May 15: 2/1 | May 22: 7/2 | Currently: 1/4

Neil Lennon

The Celtic manager has been towards the top of the betting throughout the last few weeks, despite saying he didn’t want to leave Celtic and then repeating it a couple more times. He completed a league and cup double on Sunday, but it looks like he’ll be staying on in Glasgow for a couple of gimme SPL titles yet.

ODDS – May 8: 12/1 | May 15: 5/2 | May 22: 11/2 | Currently: 11/1

Alan Stubbs

Talk of Everton establishing a new version of the ‘boot-room’ thing that Liverpool are bizarrely proud of fuelled the belief Stubbs could be a surprise appointment. It’s an interesting idea. Yes the Liverpool boot room produced Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish, but it also kind of produced Roy Evans and (kind of) Graeme Souness.

ODDS – May 8: 20/1 | May 15: 6/1 | May 22: 8/1 | Currently: 16/1

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

The Norwegian was one of the big movers over the course of the last week, not hindered by the secret express tunnel that seems to link Old Trafford and Goodison Park these days. His couple of Norwegian league titles with Molde make him in interesting, but far from proven prospect.

ODDS – May 8: 20/1 | May 15: 25/1 | May 22: 14/1 | Currently: 18/1

Vitor Perreira

Since David Moyes stepped down, Perreira landed a Portuguese league title by going undefeated for the season. He was always in the frame (albeit slightly to the side of that frame), but his odds tumbled a week ago for reasons that weren’t entirely clear.

ODDS – May 8: 14/1 | May 15: 33/1 | May 22: 9/4 | Currently: 18/1

Michael Laudrup

Laudrup’s appeal meant he regularly got a mention as a dark horse for the Everton job, but the odds never really suggested a move in on the cards. He’s now rated more likely to get the job than when he was 40/1 a couple of weeks back, but he’ll probably sit tight at Swansea for another season.

ODDS – May 8: 14/1 | May 15: 40/1 | May 22: 20/1 | Currently: 25/1

HE NOSE WHAT TO DO – For a while, it was thought the excessive flatulence of his coaching staff may force Laudrup out of Swansea

Malky Mackay

Although the idea of Mackay abandoning newly promoted Cardiff always felt a tad ridiculous, the Scottish manager was considered a front-runner for the job throughout. He’s less of a front runner now possibly due to the fact he’s got to work on keeping the Bluebirds in the Premier League.

ODDS – May 8: 10/1 | May 15: 7/1 | May 22: 10/1 | Currently: 33/1

David Weir

Similar to Stubbs, his credentials were based on the ‘boot room’ philosophy. He was the subject of sustained support last week, but has drifted since as people realised having a manager who had strong links with the clubs was nice, but having one who actually had a proven track record of success was better.

ODDS – May 8: 25/1 | May 15: 33/1 | May 22: 10/1 | Currently: 33/1

Harry Redknapp

‘Arry’s brand of wheeler-delaer-ing would be well suited to the tight budget contrasts of Everton’ as no doubt a thought that saw money for the QPR manager early on. Since then, people have thought better of it, realising the one season of semi-success that Harry tends to provide probably isn’t worth the inevitable relegation.

ODDS – May 8: 14/1 | May 15: 50/1 | May 22: 33/1 | Currently: 33/1

Martin O’Neill

As ever, Martin O’Neill’s name featured towards the top of the betting early on, but then people realised ‘hang on, it’s not 2005 anymore’ and he drifted like an Italian cruise ship with no functioning engines. When Paolo Di Canio is showing you up, you know you’re in trouble. Or not as into the fascism as he is.

ODDS – May 8: 12/1 | May 15: 40/1 | May 22: 66/1 | Currently: 33/1

FIND OUT THE LATEST MOVES IN THE NEXT EVERTON MANAGER STORY WITH ALL THE LATEST ODDS

A more detailed (and out of date look) at some of the candidates for the Everton job

A slightly more detailed (and out of date look) at some of the candidates for the Everton job

This week @AmyEustace ponders whether Gareth Bale is the man to save British football, and why he needs to stay in the Premier League.

The word ‘British’ used to simply denote origin, but in recent years it has taken on a strange, contemporary slant. Just ask Andy Murray – now, spoken in the context of anyone who has achieved great things in their field, ‘British’ tends to mean, ‘They’re not actually English, but we want you all to assume that they are so we can feel better about ourselves’. It’s a tag honourably bestowed on those that are so good the English would be happy to claim them – otherwise, they’re simply Welsh, Scottish, or, more rarely, Northern Irish.

On that logic, enter English football’s answer to Murray: Gareth Bale.

It’s been some time since the world has witnessed a football prodigy of his calibre emerge from England. Not, at least, since Wayne Rooney set the stage alight with whispers of ‘world-class’ for the first time since the English old guard (made up of the likes of Lampard, Gerrard, Terry, Cole and Fergie’s United ‘kids’) stamped their mark on the Premier League era.

Rooney and his predecessors were a boon for the English national team’s chances at re-establishing some form of international dominance (a patently false hope), but Bale, on the other hand, despite his potential for club greatness, will probably only ever strive towards qualification for international competition and stagnant mediocrity with Wales.

His importance for the reputation of the league, though, can’t be underestimated…even if there is no sight more cringe-worthy than a grown man making a heart with his hands at a TV camera.

At 23, the Welshman is already running out of space on his mantelpiece for individual honours and this season, he left various award ceremonies looking like Adele coming out of the Grammys. Named PFA Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and FWA Player of the Year (and that’s just the plaudits of 2012), Bale has won just about every domestic gong for personal achievement, but no winners medals to speak of for his club’s efforts. With Spurs having narrowly missed out on qualification, I suspect he’d trade it all for the opening violin strains of the Champions League anthem.

A meteoric acceleration in form over the past three seasons has seen the once average second-tier left-back turned sensational Premier League midfielder become the player on which all of Spurs’ hopes are now hinged. Who could have imagined, when he signed from Southampton in 2007, that an 18-year-old Welsh lad would be the key to their dream of establishing themselves as a top four side, and a force to be reckoned with in Europe to boot? Back then, the north London club were comfortable in the top half of the table but challenging somewhere in the middle for the last few UEFA League spots, while Bale was a fresh-faced, fast but flawed defender.

Tottenham’s Goal machine

Now, he’s the league’s hottest property. With a new, unrestrained role handed down to him by André Villas-Boas, Bale has scored many of his 26 goals this season as a sort of second-striker. Yet, even with 21 league goals from the man himself, Spurs finished the season a point shy of local rivals Arsenal, missing out on the Champions League spot that would most likely have made Bale’s extended stay in north London a sure thing.

His contribution has been sorely needed, with strike partners Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor clocking up woefully average seasons with just 23 between the pair. The effect of Bale’s scoring focus is that his creative input has been hampered – he managed just 4 league assists, compared with 11 last season, but in total he created 75 chances, placing him in the league’s top ten in terms of key passes.

“To play the way we have also but to miss out on our objective is very disappointing,” said the winger, and it must have struck a nerve to come so close and yet so far, after carrying a club squarely on his shoulders for the best part of the year.

Instead of humiliating Inter Milan right-backs in the Champions League as he is wont to do, Spurs will have to settle for being Europa League playmates with relegated Wigan. But Bale has a choice; he needn’t settle at all.

BALE FORCE: Gareth Bale tore Inter Milan a new one in the Champions League

The Welshman has hinted heavily at staying at Spurs, and if that’s the decision he has made, then it’s daringly loyal, patient and sensible. Granted, at his age, he has plenty of years ahead of him to match his extensive list of personal honours with club trophies, and at least at Spurs he has a degree of certainty as to his place in the team – unlike his former teammate Luka Modric, who has found that perhaps the move from London to Madrid has involved a competition for places he was not quite prepared for.

Indeed, Real Madrid are one of the clubs who have apparently expressed interest in Bale – Sergio Ramos has described him as a ‘Real Madrid-quality signing’. A move there would mean a tussle for supremacy with Cristiano Ronaldo (if the Old Trafford homing call doesn’t prove irresistible). Bale may have evolved beyond the confines of his club and league in terms of reputation, but actively going toe-to-toe with the Portuguese forward and matching him in his perennial battle of one-upsmanship with Lionel Messi is about as likely as Tony Pulis replacing José Mourinho.

If Bale was to move elsewhere now, he’d open up a divergence of paths, some of which lead to true legendary status at a ridiculously young age, while others lead to the burning out of a very bright star indeed. The ‘one-man team’ label Spurs have been given has its obvious downsides, but for Bale the advantage is a squad built to serve his needs. A summer of retirements, sackings and moves has made Tottenham, manager-wise at least, one of the most stable clubs around. With a good summer of transfer market activity under their belt, they could more than close the narrow gap between them and the current top four.

Best in England Europe the world

On the other hand, Bale could buck the trend of British players moving abroad after they’ve peaked and become one of the few to truly adapt to life on the continent, hammering down the accent á la Joey Barton. Instead of waiting around for Spurs to qualify for Europe’s top competition, he could give winning it a shot.

But this summer, in the absence of a major international competition to keep the anticipation at bay, the sense of unpredictability surrounding the coming Premier League season is mouth-watering. With so many stalwarts hanging up their boots (and hairdryers), who wouldn’t want to be around when the shit hits the figurative fan, and the English football hierarchy has its first real shake-up since the early 90s?

As Juan Mata put it earlier in the season, “Gareth is, right now, one of the best in the world. Not just in England, not just in Europe – in the world.”

The last thing the Premier League could use at the moment is the departure of a potential legend, and the inevitable dent it would make in Spurs’ competitiveness. Bale is the hero that the Premier League deserves, and he might just be exactly what it needs right now.

Can Bale guide Tottenham to Champions League football next season? Check out their odds for a top four finish here

The Europa League just got interesting

• The Europa League, up to around about the semi-final stage, has got to be the most tedious club competition in history, but it just got that bit more interesting. At present, it’s just the Champions League’s less good-looking, more attainable sister, however UEFA are expected to confirm today that from 2015 winning the competition will mean automatic qualification for a shot at the real prize the following season, without otherwise affecting the amount of places afforded to the top teams in a domestic league. Hopefully this will help Emmanuel Adebayor to distinguish between the two tournaments by something other than the theme music.

Toothless aggression

• Meanwhile in Argentina, not content with the usual fare of coins, beach balls and other miscellaneous objects, a disgruntled fan threw a set of dentures at Argentinos Juniors Coach Ricardo Lombardi during a match against Belgrano. Argentinos were losing 3-1 to Belgrano and are under serious threat of relegation. No wonder the fan was fed up to the back teeth…

Think before you ink

• Dortmund fans are great. Great, but also fully insane, like this one who had Jurgen Klopp’s open-mouthed face tattooed on his upper back. Unfortunately for him and his fellow supporters, a clairvoyant German elephant called Nelly has predicted that they will lose the final. Paul the Octopus is so 2010.

By Josh Powell | Premier League Nightmare XI

The Premier League season has drawn to a close and Gareth Bale is making room on his windowsill for both PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards. As pundits and fans queue to praise the likes of Robin van Persie and Juan Mata, the Paddy Power Blog team has taken a completely different view, choosing to root through the stats and pick out the worst 11 players this year.

This is team of footballers not even Harry Redknapp would want to manage. Ill-discipline, poor passing, loose defending and an inability to hit a cow’s arse with a banjo. This Nightmare XI has it all.

Goalkeeper – Mark Bunn (Norwich)

What they say: Promising young keeper who has served as a more than able deputy for John Ruddy. The only reason he’s not in the Ireland team is because Giovanni Trapattoni probably thinks he is English.

What we say: He’s definitely consistent, just consistently good at picking the ball out of his own net. Bunn conceded a goal on average every 45 minutes this season.

Left back – Jose Enrique (Liverpool)

What they say: Hailed by Brendan Rodgers as ‘sensational’ last December. He used to post loads of pictures of him eating in Nandos on Twitter but then Suso called him gay and Enrique deleted his account.

What we say: All that sweet piri-piri sauce might be having negative consequences. He attempted 68 crosses this season and just seven of them found a Liverpool player.

Centre back – Sebastien Bassong (Norwich)

What they say: Physically strong and powerful. Graduated from the famous Clairefontaine Youth Academy which produced talents like Thierry Henry, William Gallas and Nicolas Anelka.

What we say: From our limited understanding, challenging attackers for the ball is a key area of defending. Bassong attempted a tackle once every 141 minutes this year.

Centre-back – Jonas Olsson (West Brom)

What they say: A tough-tackling defender similar to Olof Mellberg (presumably because they are both Swedish). Steve Clarke regards him as a key player for West Brom in the last few years.

What we say: Reading the game isn’t his strong point. Olsson made an interception on average once every 13o minutes this season.

QUEL SURPRISE: Someone skips past Lowton again. This time it is Mr Jack Wilshere

Right-back – Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)

What they say: Regarded as one of the league’s best young full-backs and reportedly straight on Arsene Wenger’s summer shopping list.

What we say: One fantastic goal is doing an awful lot to blur people’s judgement. Lowton was dribbled past 40 times this year, the worst record of all the Premier League full-backs.

Left wing – Steven Pienaar (Everton)

What they say: One of Everton’s most creative players with the ability to find the back of the net from distance. Hailed by pundits for his link-up play with Leighton Baines on the left.

What we say: To quote any one of the Match Of The Day panel, ’You are definitely 86 per cent less likely to score if you don’t have the ball.’ Pienaar was dispossessed 84 times this season, more than any other midfielder.

Centre midfield – Craig Gardner (Sunderland)

What they say: A versatile midfielder who isn’t afraid to get stuck in. When both players were at Aston Villa, Gareth Barry said that Gardner would be a key player for years.

What we say: Gareth Barry is a fool. Gardner has the worst disciplinary record this year with 10 yellow cards and one sending off. 34 per cent of his tackles have been fouls this season.

Centre midfield – Adel Taarabt (QPR)

What they say: Hyped as the next Zinedine Zidane when he first came to England and regarded as one of the best players in the Championship three years ago. Signed for Tottenham in 2007 and used to be link with a move to Arsenal or abroad.

What we say: What he lacks for in ability he makes up in confidence. Although, he does lack a significant amount of ability. This season he took 98 shots and scored just five goals.

GUTTED: This is a pretty much permanent expression of disappointment for Taraabt

Right wing – Jason Puncheon (Southampton)

What they say: Saints fans rave about Puncheon’s work rate, his eye for goal and creativity coming in off either flank. Nigel Adkins described Puncheon’s season as ‘excellent’ at the turn of the year. Most memorably went to destroy some porcelain mid-way through a match with Everton in January.

What we say: The only thing more questionable than his toilet antics is his eye for a pass. Just 14 per cent of his through balls found their target this season.

Striker – Bobby Zamora (QPR)

What they say: A bullish English centre-forward who is renowned for his hold up play and ability to play as a lone front man. Teddy Sheringham has urged Roy Hodgson to include Zamora in the England set-up.

What we say: Zamora falls straight out of the Heskey mould. He completed just two successful dribbles in 21 appearances this year.

Striker – Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)

What they say: Tipped by Sir Alex Ferguson to be the future of England and Manchester United. Tireless striker who works the flanks and looks a lot like Gerald from Hey Arnold!

What we say: One goal in almost 22 hours of Premier League football this year. Unbelievable.

Who have we missed? Get in touch with any suggestions and head over here if you want to check the outright markets for the Premier League 2013/14 season

GUS POYET – Winner of the 2012 ‘Gurning While Fighting An Invisible Giant’ World Championships

By Aidan Elder | Chief sports writer

‘We’re in no hurry to appoint a replacement’ was the news coming out of Goodison Park after it was confirmed that David Moyes would be leaving to do a Sir Alex Ferguson impression at Old Trafford. And that initial claim has proven be the case as we’re as close to finding out who the successor is as Marouane Fellaini is to appearing on the cover ‘Sensible Haircuts Monthly’.

There’s been no shortage of rumour, counter rumour and what we’re guessing is managers starting gossip about themselves in the hope of getting some attention. But the names that appeared towards the top of the Next Everton Manager betting at the beginning are mostly all up there a week and a half later. It still looks as open as a Who’d like to punch Justin Bieber?’ competition. Here’s a run down of the men who have been heaviest backed to land the Toffees job:
(Prices subject to change - Latest odds here)

20.30 update: USA national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann in to 7/2 from 16s; Cardiff boss Malky MacKay comes in to 8/1 after a flurry of online and retail bets.

Roberto Martinez – 5/2

The Wigan manager was a popular choice from the outset, but since the vacancy became available he’s also landed an FA Cup. That was great timing if he was trying to put himself in the shop window and even better timing if he was hoping to distract people from the fact the Latics actually got relegated. He’s got his strong points, he’s got his flaws, but you’ve made him favourite for the Everton job for the vast majority of this betting heat.

What he’s got going for him:

• He’s essentially available after Wigan got relegated
• No-one seems to have noticed Wigan got relegated

Neil Lennon – 6/1

At no point during the last couple has the Celtic manager said he wants the job or intends to leave Celtic Park. Clearly ‘I’m not leaving Celtic’ is clever double-speak for ‘I’m definitely leaving Celtic and going to Everton’ based solely on the number of bets coming in for Lennon (41). Despite expressing minimal interest in the job, he’s the second most backed man in the book. His credentials are interesting, but whether or not winning two horse and then one horses races is adequate experience for managing the Toffees is far less certain.

What he’s got going for him:

• Has won stuff
• Always seems about one hissy fit away from quitting Scottish football for good

Phil Neville – 7/1

The odds for the younger and less grating Neville (36) to get the job have been up and down like Jordan’s knickers, but he has now nestled snugly towards the top of the betting that’s to steady support from the betting public. He hung up his combative midfielder boots on Sunday, but he’s likely to replace them with combative coaching boots in the near future. It would be a surprise to see him get the Everton job with such little experience, but then again, it was a surprise that Everton gave Andy van der Meyde money to be a professional footballer, so this is a club with a history of daring and somewhat ill-advised risks.

What he’s got going for him:

• He’s a club hero
• Has hung around with some good managers long enough to maybe learn something

Alan Stubbs – 5/1

Not dissimilar to Neville, Stubbs’ odds have been up and down like Christina Aguilera’s dress size but some sustained support has seen him become one of the most popular choices in the betting. Former Toffee penalty-smasher, David Unsworth gave his former team-mate a vote of confidence and illustrating how little news we’ve had on the subject in recent days, people actually treated it like his it was major news rather than one man saying he supports his mate.

What he’s got going for him:

• He’s a club hero
• Has already got his foot in the Everton coaching door and wouldn’t even need a new security pass

Gus Poyet – 5/1

It’s not really possible to have a ‘bolter’ in a market that’s been trundling along so slowly, but if there is, Poyet is the man. Ironically, getting knocked out of the play-offs with Brighton seems to have improved his credentials in the eyes of punters because since his season ended prematurely, he’s been well backed for the job.

What he’s got going for him:

• Looks like he’s rather good at this managerial lark
• He’s got a better track record than a lot of his supposed rivals

Also Worth A Mention

Malkay Mackay is closing in fast on the top five after a slew of bets on the newly crowned Championship manager of the year. His price is in to 5/1 but what does it say about his confidence in his own abilities if he doesn’t at least give the Premier League a crack with Cardiff? Or maybe he just hates Wales.
David Weir has found some backers too. The former player and current Everton coach would certainly appeal to Bill Kenwright’s love of not spending money. His 14/1 price puts him on the outside of the betting for now.
And for some reason people still think Jurgen Klinsmann is a good manager. Or at least good enough for Everton There have been some sizeable bets on the German who is now just 6/1 to get the job. His stints with Bayern Munich and the US national team have shown he’s not very good without Joachim Loew doing the actual managing.

Find out all the latest happenings in the Everton Manager betting by checking out the latest odds

A slightly more detailed (and out of date look) at some of the candidates for the Everton job

HOW WIDE? Theo accurately portrays the gap between Arsenal and Spurs. He looks chuffed.

By Josh Powell | Betting news

Piers Morgan calling for Arsene Wenger’s head. Tottenham stretching clear before ultimately crumbling quicker than a rich tea biscuit in a hot brew. Arsenal sweeping in, claiming fourth with some solid performances and celebrating like it was an actual trophy. Just another season in the Premier League then.

Arsenal finished a point clear of their North-London rivals to guarantee Champions League football next year, but at what point of their topsy-turvy season did you back them to finish in the top four?

August 17 2012: 8/15

The day before the Premier League season begins. Optimism around the Emirates is sky-high as Wenger splashes more than £31 million on Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to fill the void left by a certain Robin van Persie.

September 24 2012: 2/5

Five games into the season and Arsene Wenger’s men are unbeaten. They’ve beaten Liverpool away and drawn with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. They also spanked six past Southampton at home. Robin who?

December 16 2012: Evens

The next 11 games are a mixture of highs and lows, mostly devastatingly crushing lows. One high is a 5-2 win over Tottenham in November but other than that it is bleak. Losses to Norwich and Swansea and draws with Aston Villa and Fulham leave them in eight, five points behind Spurs in fourth. Van Persie’s goal in United’s 2-1 win at the Emirates adds salt to the wounds and defeat to Bradford in the Carling Cup is the footballing version of kicking a man when he’s down. Right in the groin. #WengerOut

December 30 2012: 4/6

Christmas is kind as Arsenal end the year with four wins on the spin including a 5-2 thumping of Reading and a 7-3 annihilation of Newcastle. They end 2012 in fifth, three points behind Spurs but with a game in hand.

January 21 2013: 6/4

Disaster start to 2013! Defeats to Chelsea and Man City along with a 1-1 draw against Southampton put the Gunners seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and level on points with Liverpool and West Brom.

February 25 2013: 8/13

Arsenal go unbeaten in the next five, dropping just two points as they fly back up the league. With the game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane approaching the Gunners go two points behind Chelsea in fourth and three behind Spurs. It is squeaky bum-time in North London.

March 3 2013: 7/4

Comical defending gives Tottenham a 2-1 win and Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen couldn’t have made it much easier. Their inability to work the offside trap was reminiscent of a pub game and Arsenal go five behind Chelsea and seven behind Spurs.

WEN’ DID IT START GOING WRONG? Probably when Piers Morgan joined Twitter Arsene

April 14 2013: 2/7

All change! Arsenal win four on the spin after the defeat while Tottenham perform their annual collapse and the Chelsea players pay too much attention to avoiding questions about Rafa Benitez instead of beating Southampton. The Gunners leap to third, a point clear of Spurs and Chelsea.

April 29 2013: 1/4

Arsene Wenger’s men show some grit that many thought they didn’t have by grinding out draws against Everton and newly crowned Champions United either side of beating Fulham in a scrappy 1-0. Robin van Persie scores again to annoy the Emirates faithful but they are two points clear of Spurs in fourth with a relatively straight-forward run-in.

May 19 2013: 1/3

Going in to the last game and Arsenal lead by a point. There is still plenty to play for as Arsenal have to travel to Newcastle while Tottenham face Sunderland at home. Despite the odds Andy Gray goes against the grain and backs Tottenham to get fourth. Classic Andy.

May 19 2013 5.20pm: 1/6

There is half an hour left in both games and Arsenal look home and hosed. Laurent Koscielny put the Gunners in front in the 52nd minute and Tottenham are still struggling to break down the Black Cats.

May 19 2013 5.40: 1/12

Pretty much done and dusted. It is Champions League football for Arsene Wenger next season and another year beneath their North London rivals for Tottenham. Gareth Bale’s wonder strike (is it still a wonder strike when he does it every week?) gives Tottenham fans the smallest glimmer of hope but it is Thursday nights on ITV4 for them.

Arsenal are 8/11 to finish in the top four next year with Tottenham at 5/4. Check out the outright odds over here.