As they do with a lot of the most popular sports markets, Paddy Power priced up odds on the next Derby manager before there was an official vacancy for the position. They do this regularly due to the demand of their customers, and there's even more reason to do it with Derby County, as Frank Lampard has been linked to Chelsea throughout the summer, making it one of the main talking points after the end of the 2018/19 Championship season.
Managing Derby County for a single season, Frank Lampard specialised in bringing in several key players on loan, and they looked far more impressive than they have in past years, surpassing the performances seen by the steadily improving side under Gary Rowett. Frank Lampard eventually pushed Derby to a top six finish in the Championship, forcing their way through to the play-off final after a stellar display against Leeds United, but their hopes of sealing promotion to the Premier League fell apart at the final hurdle against Aston Villa.
There's been a massive chain reaction throughout Europe around managerial comings and goings, starting with Antonio Conte choosing to go to Inter Milan ahead of Juventus, leading to Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri being able to move to Juventus, and leaving the Chelsea job open to club legend Frank Lampard. It's now set to also affect Derby County, who'll be looking for Frank Lampard's replacement, where Paddy Power are at the front of the queue in offering odds before he's even left Pride Park.
Even before Frank Lampard decided whether or not he'd be leaving Derby County, Paddy Power not only priced up a selection of likely names to replace him at the club, but they also went as far as offering odds on over sixty names in the market, allowing plenty of choices to their many customers.
Garry Monk early favourite to become next Derby manager
Only bolstering the conceptions of there being a managerial merry-go-round in full flow this summer, Gary Monk is favourite to become next Derby County manager at 3/1 after shockingly being sacked by Birmingham City. Monk has previously managed all of Swansea City, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City, with the only concern being the number of times he's failed to meet the planned heights, leading to his dismissal.
Problems behind the scenes at Birmingham City could potentially give Garry Monk good reason for eventually being dismissed, but the fact that he's been sacked at least three times in five years as a manager is enough to concern even the most confident football fan. Odds continue to fluctuate on the three shortest options, with Frank Lampard coming as a bizarre second option as Paddy Power cater to the option of the former player deciding to stay at the club into next season.
Fluctuating between second and third favourite, Lee Bowyer has been linked to Derby County constantly since rumours of Frank Lampard's potential departure originally emerged. He's priced at 7/1, but the chances of him taking on the role are decreasing after he reluctantly agreed to a contract extension at Charlton Athletic. Two former players are priced below the 10/1 bracket, John Terry at 15/2 after helping Aston Villa gain promotion as assistant to Dean Smith, and current Rangers manager Steven Gerrard at 10/1 despite early reports that he refused to consider the position.
Unlike a lot of preliminary markets, Paddy Power's odds on the next Derby County manager only facilitate a handful of options below 20/1. Mentions of John Terry and Steven Gerrard after the three favourites are followed by former Derby County manager Gary Rowett at 12/1, who was sacked by Stoke City after having a dreadful first season immediately after leaving Pride Park to take control of the Potters.
The only remaining option before odds move into heights that imply only a slim chance of coming into fruition is Chris Hughton at 16/1. He spent a mostly successful five years at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he was able to establish the club as a proper Premier League team, only finding himself sacked after the club's officials chose to move in a different direction under Graham Potter.
Next Derby County Manager Odds
(All odds taken from Paddy Power)
- Garry Monk - 3/1
- Frank Lampard (to stay) - 5/1
- Lee Bowyer - 7/1
- John Terry - 15/2
- Steven Gerrard - 10/1
- Gary Rowett - 12/1
- Chris Hughton - 16/1
- Darren Moore - 20/1
- David Moyes - 33/1
- Nigel Adkins - 33/1
- Tim Sherwood - 33/1
- Brian McDermott - 33/1
- Danny Cowley - 33/1
- Paul Heckingbottom - 33/1
- Sol Campbell - 40/1
- Gabriel Batistuta - 40/1
- Ian Holloway - 40/1
- Fabrizio Ravanelli - 40/1
- Carlos Carvalhal - 40/1
- Juande Ramos - 40/1
- Lee Carsley - 40/1
- Alan Pardew - 40/1
- Micky Mellon - 50/1
- Ryan Giggs - 50/1
- Michael Appleton - 50/1
- Craig Bellamy - 50/1
- Chris Coleman - 50/1
- Colin Pascoe - 50/1
- Sam Allardyce - 50/1
- Jack Ross - 50/1
- Derek McInnes - 50/1
- Albert Stuivenberg - 50/1
- Michael O'Neill - 50/1
- Gus Poyet - 50/1
- Paulo Wanchope - 50/1
- Bob Bradley - 50/1
- Harry Redknapp - 50/1
- Slaven Bilic - 60/1
- Steve Evans - 66/1
- Rory Delap - 66/1
- Roberto Martinez - 66/1
- Nathan Jones - 80/1
- Jim Smith - 100/1
- Malcolm Christie - 100/1
- Mart Poom - 100/1
- Jose Mourinho - 100/1
- Niall Horan - 500/1
