Next Man Utd Manager Betting: 99/1 Moyes is the man

9May 2013

England - Premier League

The worst kept secret in football was finally confirmed today as Manchester United announced that David Moyes had signed a six-year contract to step into Sir Alex Ferguson's shoes from July 1. The news brought to a close Betfair's longest running market - open since 2001 - and joy for punters who had backed Moyes at prices up to 100.0

Betfair's next Manchester United manager market was opened in October 2001, dating back to when Sir Alex Ferguson first discussed retirement.

Football's landscape has altered so drastically that David O'Leary and Walter Smith once traded at sub 5.0 prices, while familiar names such as Fabio Capello and Sven Goran Eriksson were also well backed.

Louis van Gaal once traded as short as 1.14 for the vacancy when he was thought to be in advanced discussions to succeed Fergie.

There was also interest in a number of former United players from Betfair punters with bets on Roy Keane at 4.0, Mark Hughes at 4.9 and Paul Ince at 5.0.

While David Moyes has long been thought of as Sir Alex Ferguson's choice as successor, Jose Mourinho's expected departure from Real Madrid muddied the waters and the former Chelsea manager was backed as low as 2.0 this week.

But Moyes was the unanimous choice of the United board and his priced rapidly shortened in the hours following Ferguson's announcement he was going to retire, before the former Preston boss was officially appointed this afternoon.

Ferguson leaves a legacy of 38 trophies in his time as United boss, including 13 titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

Moyes' Manchester United trade at 3.1 to win the 2013/14 Premier League.

The Next Man Utd Manager market on Betfair: Key Facts

- The market opened in October 2001, after Sir Alex announced he was to retire at the end of the 2001/2 season

- The first bets in the market were on Louis van Gaal and David O'Leary

- Three managers were matched at odds-on: Moyes, Van Gaal and Carlos Queiroz (small monies traded)

- In total, bets were placed on 76 different candidates