It lasted 6 games and a mere 70 days but the reign of Coach Hockaday has finally ended; some will contest that it never really began. Many scratched their heads at the appointment of an untried and untested ‘manager’ at this level and those people are probably still scratching their head somewhat now. In a way it was a cruel appointment, leaving many Leeds United fans clinging to the hope that the appointment was going to be something of a Maverick but the stark likelihood soon emerged that it was more of a Goose that we got.

Well, now, that goose is well and truly stuffed and the next course is due to be served. The question remains at the very forefront of Leeds supporter’s minds; what are the ‘front runners’ going to bring to the club?

Odds quoted are from SkyBet and valid as of Friday 29th August midday

Rolando Maran – Italian (preferred formation 4-3-3 offensive): current odds 11/10

Maran is currently the ‘bookies’ favourite‘ to be given the vacant ‘hot seat’ at Leeds. Over his managerial career, stretching back to managing AS Citadella and culminting in his managing Calcio Catania, he has the following %age returns:  36.4% wins, 28.5% draws and 35.2% losses.

Table showing last 5 managerial positions

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2013/14 Calcio Catania    13   0.85   1.77  0.54
2012/13 Calcio Catania    50   1.30   1.34  1.40
2011/12 AS Varese 1910    37   1.57   0.97  1.86
2010/11 Vincenza Calcio    52   1.02   1.17  1.38
2009/10 Vincenza Calcio    33   1.00   1.00  1.18

Óscar García – Spanish (preferred formation 4-3-3 offensive): current odds 11/1

Óscar García developed through the ranks at Barcelona and since retiring has had 2 main managerial placements: Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) and Brighton and Hove Albion (England). He has the following %age returns: 51.6% wins, 23.7% draws and 24.7% losses.

Table showing last 2 managerial positions

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2013/14 Brighton and Hove Albion 53 1.21 1.00 1.49
2012/13 Maccabi Tel Aviv 36 2.17 0.83 2.22

Steve Clarke – Scottish (preferred formation 4-2-3-1): current odds 5/2

Steve Clarke was a right back whose career started at St Mirren and whose career ended at Chelsea after 167 Premier League appearances. He holds a UEFA Pro training licence. He has the following %age returns: 31.1% wins, 23.0% draws and 45.9% losses.

Table showing last managerial position

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2012/13 West Brom 60 1.38 1.50 1.18

Tony Pulis  – Welsh (preferred formation 4-2-3-1): current odds 18/1

Recently relieved of his duties as Crystal Palace manager, Pulis has had a managerial career taking in Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City, Portsmouth, Stoke (twice), Plymouth and, ultimately, Palace themselves. He has the following %age returns: 36.7% wins, 28.1% draws and 35.2% losses.

Table showing last 4 managerial positions

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2012/13 Crystal Palace 28 1.04 1.04 1.46
2006/12 Stoke City 332 1.23 1.24 1.41
2005/06 Plymouth Argyle 37 0.86 0.89 1.30
2002/05 Stoke City 123 1.00 1.11 1.33

Gary Megson  – English (preferred formation 4-2-3-1): current odds 20/1

Gary Megson was a defensive midfield player whose career saw him play in teams such as Everton, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Manchester City. He has the following %age returns: 36.2% wins, 25.7% draws and 38.1% losses.

Table showing last 5 managerial positions

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2011/12 Sheffield Wednesday 62 1.48 1.44 1.55
2007/09 Bolton Wanderers 99 1.08 1.45 1.09
2007/07 Leicester City 9 0.89 0.78 1.44
2004/06 Nottingham Forest 54 1.04 1.31 1.15
1999/04 West Bromwich Albion 140 1.16 1.09 1.49

Roberto di Matteo – Italian (preferred formation 4-2-3-1): current odds 25/1

Roberto di Matteo was an Italian player best known for his career in England with Chelsea after a transfer from Lazio in 1996. He has the following %age returns: 52.3% wins, 21% draws and 26.7% losses.

Table showing last 4 managerial positions

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2012/12 Chelsea FC 21 2.29 1.57 1.76
2011/11 Chelsea FC (interim) 21 2.24 1.24 2.19
2009/11 West Bromwich Albion 83 1.73 1.35 1.67
2008/09 Milton Keynes Dons 51 1.82 1.16 1.78

Summary

  • Manager with highest %wins: Roberto di Matteo 52.3%
  • Manager with games returning most %points (wins plus draws): Roberto di Matteo 73.3%
  • Manager with lowest % wins: Steve Clarke 31.1%

So, these are six of the contenders for the inaugural ‘Post-Hockaday Stakes’. Seems that Maran is currently the Bookie’s favourite with Clark in the running a close 2nd with outsiders such as Megson and di Matteo sandwiching other contenders such as Garciá and Pulis.

What experience has taught me is to never bet against the possibility of Leeds United appointing a rank outsider – David Moyes at 100/1 and Paul Ince at 66/1 look decent bets if you want to flutter £1