McClaren on borrowed Tyne as Rodgers heads the betting

Steve McClaren’s days as Newcastle United boss look very much numbered and it’s Brendan Rodgers who leads the chase for the St James’ Park dugout.

Former England boss McClaren has faced constant scrutiny since taking the job with the Toon Army in the summer, and a failure to produce results consistently hasn’t endeared him to the St James’ faithful.

A 5-1 hammering at Chelsea last weekend may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, and it’s just 7/2 that McClaren is not in charge of the Magpies by the time they face Leicester on March 14.

Ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is the 5/2 favourite to take the helm, followed by former Manchester United manager David Moyes at 7/2 and Swansea’s League Cup-winning coach Michael Laudrup at 8s.

Current Head of Academy at Man United Nicky Butt is a 10/1 to take charge to the club where he spent six seasons, while Harry Redknapp is the same price for a headline-grabbing return to the game’s frontline.

Also at 10s is Tony Pulis, while Patrick Vieira, Franck de Boer and Roberto di Matteo are 12/1 to be given the gig.

The Newcastle board certainly have time to make their decision, with the club without a match now until early March when they head to Stoke.

The Magpies are 10/3 for victory at the Britannia, with the hosts at 5/6.

But if you fancy the ex-Twente boss not to be in charge by then, Ladbrokes are 8/1 McClaren will have left Newcastle before their next league match.

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