Pep Clotet could make an early return to Leeds United next month as the new manager of Oxford United.
Bookmakers have slashed the odds on the Elland Road assistant manager being appointed by the League One club.
Speculation intensified during the day that Clotet, 40, would land the post and Sky Bet installed him as 8/15 favourite on Tuesday night, ahead of former England midfielder Frank Lampard, who is priced at 11/4.
Clotet, who was number two to former manager Garry Monk last season, is set to leave United when his contract expires at the end of the month after new manager Thomas Christiansen recruited his own backroom staff.
Press in Oxford asking about Pep Clotet being linked to the vacant managerial position at Oxford United. Now favourite. #lufc
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) June 27, 2017
Would be a very quick #lufc return for Pep Clotet if he does end up with Oxford United job considering friendly at #lufc on Sat, July 29
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) June 27, 2017
Clotet was not considered for the manager’s role at Elland Road in the wake of Monk’s departure and the Spaniard has already confirmed on Twitter that he is seeking a new challenge in his career, but that he will not be heading to join his friend at Middlesbrough.
Now the Spaniard is being heavily linked with Oxford, who are seeking a replacement to Michael Appleton after he was appointed assistant manager to Craig Shakespeare at Leicester City.
Oxford finished eighth in League One last season and are set to offer their new boss a competitive budget for the division.
Coincidentally, Leeds welcome Oxford to Elland Road for their final pre-season friendly on July 29, a game that was part of the deal for bringing Kemar Roofe to the club last summer.
There appears a strong possibility that Clotet could now be in the away dugout for that fixture.