Houllier's health to halt West Ham's plans
Sam Allardyce was quoted in The People over the weekend saying that he is expected to take over at West Ham upon his return from a family holiday, however there could yet be a few twists and turns in the search to replace Avram Grant due to events unfolding elsewhere.
The former Blackburn boss had been backed heavily at the shortest available price of [1.01] to make the Boleyn Ground his new home but his odds have drifted out to [1.42], which still leaves him as the firm favourite yet indicates that punters no longer view him as the nailed-on certainty that he was.
A glance at the Betfair football forum indicates that one reason that the prospect of Allardyce being appointed the club's 14th permanent manager is suddenly being doubted is due to speculation that Gerard Houllier will exit Aston Villa later this week as a result of his ongoing health problems.
Villa have played down the reports, but it has prompted rumours that the Irons' number one target is now paying close attention to goings on in the second city in case the opportunity to stay in the Premier League by succeeding the French tactician at Villa Park emerges.
Another incident that has had an impact on the market is that the alleged plan B to hire Dave Jones ([10.0]) if more high-profile targets like Allardyce can't be convinced to drop into the Championship now features the added bonus of no compensation fee being needed after he was sacked by Cardiff.
Would Allardyce enter Aston Villa's thinking? Do you expect him to still end up in east London? Share your thoughts with a comment in the box below...
Published: 31 May 2011
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