Former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has emerged as the new hot favourite for the vacant managerial post at Leeds, according to the latest betting odds.
Leading bookmaker Bet Victor have priced the Italian at 6/4 to replace Garry Monk at Elland Road, with Aitor Karanka next in line at 2/1.
Ranieri takes over as favourite from early frontrunner Karanka, who was regarded earlier in the weekend as the 8/11 most likely to replace Monk in the hotseat.
The Daily Star claimed on Saturday that Ranieri, 65, could be in line for a shock return to management with Championship side Leeds.
The report stated that the Yorkshire club, who were rocked by the abrupt resignation of Monk on Thursday, have approached Ranieri to replace the Englishmen in the dugout.
Monk quit his job at Leeds after one season in charge after he was left unconvinced that owner Andrea Radrizzani wanted to keep him beyond 2018.
The former Swansea man joined the club last summer, with then-owner Massimo Cellino giving him a one-year rolling contract.
Four defeats during the month of April saw Monk’s side slip out of the top six despite it looking likely that they were heading for the play-offs.
Nonetheless, Monk could now be replaced by a manager who helped Leicester achieve one of the greatest feats in English football when they won the Premier League title last season.
However, Ranieri’s dream was short lived when he was sacked by the club in February to the dismay and anger of supporters and ex-players.