Sports Betting: Vialli To Take Over At Newcastle?

Sports betting firm takes bets on identity of Newcastle's next manager.

A bookmaker has slashed its odds on Gianluca Vialli becoming the new manager of Newcastle United following a flurry of bets on the former Chelsea boss.

Sky Bet has cut its price on Vialli to 4/1, making him second favourite behind Alan Shearer to take charge at St James' Park this summer.

Helen Jacob, spokesperson for the sports betting firm, explained that punters' interest in Vialli joining Newcastle had come "out of the blue" on Thursday morning (July 9th).

She said: "Rumours abound that Vialli may be installed as director of football alongside Shearer as manager but punters have been quick to back Vialli for the main job.

"He's been out of the game for seven years so it would seem to be an odd appointment, but you never know the way things are with Newcastle at the moment."

Vialli has been out of football since 2002, when he left Watford after a 12-month spell in charge of the Hertfordshire club. The former Italy international managed Chelsea between February 1998 and September 2000.