Welshman John Toshack is attracting steady support in the betting shops as rumour and counter-rumour continue to circulate as to the identity of the next manager of the Republic of Ireland.
As speculation mounts that Mick McCarthy will cash in his chips after this week's scheduled meeting with the FAI, Toshack, the former Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Deportivo la Coruña coach, among others, has emerged as a likely successor - at least in the eyes of punters across the country.
A Paddy Power spokesman confirmed to ireland.comtoday that "a lot of money in a short space of time" had been wagered on the 53-year-old. Toshack was a 16/1 chance six days ago but following a week of intense rumour and media speculation his odds were cut steadily before being slashed into 15/8 by Saturday.
The former Liverpool striker was in Ireland last week as a guest pundit on TV3's Champions League programme, sending the rumour-mill into overdrive and provoking much chin-wagging around water-coolers the length and breadth of the land.
Toshack's closest market rival, John Aldridge, has also seen his odds cut after one punter today bet €1000 at 5/1 in the hope the former Tranmere boss would succeed McCarthy. Aldridge has since been cut to 7/2.
Joe Kinnear has attracted sparse support at 5/1 while under-fire Leeds United manager Terry Venables has entered the market at 16/1.
Betting:John Toshack 15/8, John Aldridge 7/2, David O'Leary 9/2, Joe Kinnear 5/1, Martin O'Neill 12/1, Brian Kerr 12/1, R Whelan 14/1, Alex Ferguson 16/1, George Burley 16/1, Terry Venables 16/1, Bryan Robson 18/1, George Graham 20/1, Kenny Dalglish 20/1, Peter Reid 25/1
Odds courtesy of Paddy Power