Gareth SouthgateFollowing Neil Warnock’s post-match comments yesterday, speculation regarding the next permanent Leeds United manager has quickly snowballed.

While Nigel Adkins (4/1) remains the bookies and fans favourite, former Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate came from nowhere last night to be installed as second favourite to succeed Neil Warnock.

At 6/1, Southgate’s odds put him in line with Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet for the Leeds United hotseat, while other names considered to be candidates by the bookmakers include Owen Coyle (10/1), Richard Naylor (25/1) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (25/1).

Leeds United currently sit 10th in the Championship, 7 points adrift of the play-off places with only 8 games remaining. Yesterday’s defeat to Huddersfield Town has been described as a “fatal blow” by Neil Warnock who said he’d told GFH they should look for his successor once Leeds United no longer stood a realistic chance of reaching the play-offs.

Warnock’s comments were welcomed by most Whites fans who believe a new manager should be appointed before the next game, allowing him time to assess the squad and get a headstart on preparations for the 2013/14 campaign.