Russell Martin emerges as bookies’ favourite for Swansea City return after Hellberg linked with Middlesbrough
Martin, who managed the Swans between 2021 and 2023, is now priced at evens to return to the Swansea.com Stadium dugout, according to odds from TalkSPORT Bet.
The former Rangers boss endured a difficult spell in Glasgow earlier this season, lasting just 123 days before being dismissed — the shortest tenure of any Gers manager in history. Despite that, bookmakers now see him as the leading candidate to succeed Alan Sheehan, who was sacked last week.
Next Swansea City permanent manager odds
- Russell Martin – evens
- Vitor Matos – 3/1
- Gary O’Neil – 3/1
- Brendan Rodgers – 5/1
- Michael Carrick – 8/1
- Liam Manning – 12/1
Hellberg pursuit falters
Swansea had reportedly held talks with Hammarby IF head coach Kim Hellberg in London last week, but Sky Sports report that Middlesbrough are now actively pursuing the 37‑year‑old.
Hellberg had been Swansea’s number one target, but with Boro and Norwich also in the frame, the Swans may now be forced to look elsewhere.
Other contenders
Vitor Matos is a Portuguese coach who worked under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool as Elite Development Coach, helping bridge the gap between academy prospects and the senior squad. He left Anfield in 2024 and has since taken charge of Marítimo in Portugal’s Liga 2, marking his first senior managerial role.
Gary O’Neil, meanwhile, is best known for keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season before moving to Wolves, where he guided them to a 14th‑place finish and an FA Cup quarter‑final in his first campaign. The former Portsmouth midfielder has since left Molineux and is currently linked with Championship clubs including Southampton.
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