FORMER Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle has been the subject of the first real gamble to become the next Sunderland manager, Ladbrokes said yesterday.

Hoddle, who stepped down at Molineux over the weekend, was 14/1 to make the move north in the firm's initial show since the new consortium took over.

But he has been backed in to 4/1 second favourite following a sizeable gamble on the internet and in local shops.

Martin O'Neill remains the favourite to take the job and has hardened to 2/1 from 5/2 after a number of wagers on him - including one for 1,000 Euros from a customer in Ireland.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "People have put two and two together after he walked out on Wolves and have concluded he's off to the Stadium of Light.

"But O'Neill is attracting interest too and it will be interesting to see how the market shapes up in the coming days."

LATEST BETTING

Next Sunderland manager

Martin O'Neill 2/1
Alan Curbishley 4/1
Glenn Hoddle 4/1
Alex McLeish 5/1
Niall Quinn 5/1
Brain Kerr 6/1
Roy Keane 10/1
George Graham 14/1
David O'Leary 20/1
Peter Reid 20/1
Kevin Ball 25/1
Lawrie Sanchez 33/1