Birmingham City’s next manager when Frank Lampard’s chances dwindled

Alex Neil remains the bookies’ favorite to become Birmingham City’s next manager – but the chances of Frank Lampard succeeding Tony Mowbray have been slimmed down.

Former Norwich City, Preston, Sunderland and Stoke City boss Neil is the 6/4 favorite to become the next Blues boss and is understood to have held talks with the club over the vacancy. Neil won promotion to the Championship as Sunderland manager in 2022 after taking over from Lee Johnson midway through the season.

Lampard, 45, has been unemployed since leaving Chelsea in 2023 and is now 3/1 second favorite to become the next Blues manager. The former England midfielder enjoyed successful seasons in charge of Derby County and Chelsea before being sacked by the latter at the start of 2021.

Lampard’s time at Everton did not go to plan and he struggled to get a song from Chelsea on an interim basis at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Burnley have been linked with Lampard as they target a replacement for Vincent Kompany, who has joined German giants Bayern Munich.

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Liam Rosenior – who is understood to have spoken to the Blues about the vacancy – is third favorite at 7/2. Former Blues manager Gary Rowett is also at 7/2 with gambling.com.

Other names in the betting include Darren Ferguson (4/1) who led Peterborough United to the League One play-offs last season and Paul Heckingbottom (9/2). Heckingbottom has been unemployed since leaving Sheffield United. Current Blues manager Ashley Cole is at 5/1, while recent Norwich boss David Wagner is at six.

Odds for the next Blues manager

Alex Neil – 6/4

Frank Lampard – 3/1

Liam Rosenior – 7/2

Gary Rowett – 7/2

Darren Ferguson – 4/1

Paul Heckingbottom – 9/2

Ashley Cole – 5/1

David Wagner – 6/1

Will Still – 13/2

Michael Beale – 7/1

Scott Parker – 10/1

Steve Bruce – 14/1