Gamble developing on Redknapp taking over at Everton

Harry Redknapp has been known to take offence to being called a wheeler-dealer, but his abilities to locate a bargain in the transfer market is one reason why he could be a leading contender to be the next Everton manager.

And a gamble is certainly materialising on Redknapp being named as David Moyes’ successor, with the current QPR boss being backed from 66/1 into 16/1.

Comments made on Match of the Day last year instantly spring to mind when thinking of Everton and Redknapp, when he was very positive about all aspects of the club from the welcome on arrival to the managerial staff.

Redknapp has also previously praised the job that Moyes conducted and that building a strong team is not “the most difficult thing” to do if a solid base already exists to build from.

Moyes has certainly left this at Everton with many of the players having been on the club’s books for countless seasons, while the under-21 team had a productive season in reaching the Premier League semi finals.

With a squad that does not have the financial clout of its competition, man management and getting the best out of players becomes extra important. These are attributes Redknapp is considered to have despite his failure to drag QPR out of the relegation zone this season.

The chance to return to the Premier League rather than stay at QPR in the Championship must be tempting for Redknapp, although the one issue is that he is based in the south in Sandbanks.

There are certainly numerous managers believed to be in the hat to be the next Everton manager, with Roberto Martinez now back to 2/1 favourite having touched odds-on.

Porto’s Vitor Pereira also remaisn prominent in the betting on the back of reports that he recently flew over to England from Portugal for talks with a top half Premier League club.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication