Poll: Who is the best candidate to replace Manuel Pellegrini

In the wake of Manchester City’s Champions League exit Ladbrokes has slashed the odds on Manuel Pellegrini being sacked before the end of the season to just 3/1.

The odds on the Chilean leaving before the start of next season are shorter still, with the bookmaker offering 1/5 that he walks through the Etihad exit before the new campaign.

And this has inevitably led to questions of who is best placed to replace him. Here we outline the credentials of those heading the betting and ask you who you think is the right man for the job.

Carlo Ancelotti – 6/4

With Champions League success the top of City’s priorities Ancelotti is likely to be the main target of the Citizens’ board.

The Italian has won the Champions League three times (twice with Milan and once with Madrid) and claimed the European Cup in its former guise a further two times with AC as a player.

The fact he won a Premier League and FA Cup double while Chelsea boss in 2009-10 further cements the likelihood that City will pounce.

Diego Simeone – 4/1

The Argentine is a relative newcomer to management compared to Ancelotti but the 44-year-old already boasts an impressive resume.

Success in Argentina saw him snapped up by Atletico Madrid in 2011 and has since delivered a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey win, One Supercopa, the Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and a runner-up finish in the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola – 6/1

There isn’t a superlative in existence that hasn’t already been used to describe Guardiola, whose phenomenal success at Barcelona has carried on unabated at Bayern Munich, where he won the double at a canter in his first season in charge.

Should the Spaniard land a third career Champions League title with Bayern this year he may feel he has achieved all there is to achieve in Bavaria and seek a new challenge elsewhere.

Rafa Benitez – 10/1

Rafa never could win the title when in charge at Liverpool but his European success in undeniable.

A Champions League win with the Reds and a Europa League victory with Chelsea and Valencia highlight his credentials and he has made no secret of his desire to return to England.

Patrick Vieira – 10/1

Currently in charge of the reserves at City it is widely regarded that the Frenchman is being groomed for the top job.

It may be too soon in the former Arsenal man’s development to take the reins but at 10/1 and with existing ties to the club he looks the value pick.

Ronald Koeman – 12/1

A three-time Eredivisie winner, Koeman has further enhanced his reputation at Southampton where the best defence in the Premier League has made the St Mary’s club genuine top four contenders.

He has his long-term sights on the Barcelona job but a successful stint at City would only enhance his chances of landing his dream job.

Jurgen Klopp – 14/1

Klopp guided Borussia Dortmund to the 2013 Champions League final and were he allowed to keep hold of his best players might have exceed that achievement in the following years.

Has struggled in the Bundesliga this season and after crashing out to Juventus could well be on the lookout for a new role.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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