Bookmakers stop taking bets on Rafa Benítez leaving
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Speculation is mounting over the future of Liverpool manager Rafa Benítez after leading bookmakers suspended betting on the Spaniard leaving the Reds following a flurry of betting activity on Wednesday morning.
Odds for Benítez fell from 20-1 to 4-7 overnight as 300,000 punters placed up to five-figure wagers on the Spaniard being the next manager to depart his job, forcing bookmakers to suspend all activity.
William Hill have suspended betting on their 'next Premier League manager to go' market, while Sky Bet have slashed the odds on Benítez to leave his post before the start of next season to 1/4 from 10/11.
The chaotic 12 hours were further fuelled by rumours of former Liverpool hero Kenny Dalglish wanting a return and former player Mark Lawrenson claiming live on radio "Rafa would be out by the weekend."
Spokesman for William Hill Rupert Adams said: "At 5pm yesterday Rafael Benítez was around 20/1 to be the next premiership manager to go.
"An unusually large number of expensive bets were placed throughout a number of our shops around the country.
"One even as high as five figures.
"We made the decision to suspended the betting at 7:30pm last night.
"We tried to open the market again in the morning, at which point we have received over 300 calls wishing to place a bet.
"Following that we decided to keep the betting suspended until we know what is happening or the club releases a statement."
Sky Bet's PR Director Dale Tempest said: "Discussions between Benítez and the club on a new contract seem to have been going on for ages and, if the money we've seen this morning is correct, it would seem that those negotiations have broken down."
Benítez has been locked in talks with American co-owner’s Tom Hicks and George Gillett over a new deal at Anfield, with the former Valencia boss rejecting a fifth draft of a new contract last weekend.
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Odds for Benítez fell from 20-1 to 4-7 overnight as 300,000 punters placed up to five-figure wagers on the Spaniard being the next manager to depart his job, forcing bookmakers to suspend all activity.
William Hill have suspended betting on their 'next Premier League manager to go' market, while Sky Bet have slashed the odds on Benítez to leave his post before the start of next season to 1/4 from 10/11.
The chaotic 12 hours were further fuelled by rumours of former Liverpool hero Kenny Dalglish wanting a return and former player Mark Lawrenson claiming live on radio "Rafa would be out by the weekend."
Spokesman for William Hill Rupert Adams said: "At 5pm yesterday Rafael Benítez was around 20/1 to be the next premiership manager to go.
"An unusually large number of expensive bets were placed throughout a number of our shops around the country.
"One even as high as five figures.
"We made the decision to suspended the betting at 7:30pm last night.
"We tried to open the market again in the morning, at which point we have received over 300 calls wishing to place a bet.
"Following that we decided to keep the betting suspended until we know what is happening or the club releases a statement."
Sky Bet's PR Director Dale Tempest said: "Discussions between Benítez and the club on a new contract seem to have been going on for ages and, if the money we've seen this morning is correct, it would seem that those negotiations have broken down."
Benítez has been locked in talks with American co-owner’s Tom Hicks and George Gillett over a new deal at Anfield, with the former Valencia boss rejecting a fifth draft of a new contract last weekend.
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