The Premier League is just over a month away from returning and Newcastle are currently without a manager as the race to replace Rafa Benitez heats up.

The Toon Army are still in mourning over the departure of Benitez after just over three years in charge and fans are anxiously waiting to see who will replace him in the dugout after being linked with a host of names.

Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta has now emerged as favourite to take over from Benitez on Tyneside with the Spaniard's price being clipped into 9/4 (+225) with top bookies Betfair and Paddy Power.

Former Everton and Arsenal midfielder Arteta, who is reportedly keen to take up his first senior management role, is best priced 4/1 (+400) for the Newcastle job with Coral.

One name to look out for in this betting race is Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, with the Liverpool legend understood to have admirers within the corridors of power at Newcastle, according to The Mirror.

Gerrard, who is preparing for his second season in charge of Rangers, is a 16/1 (+1600) shot with Paddy Power and is available at a huge 25/1 (+2500) with Coral to succeed his former Liverpool manager Benitez at St James' Park.

Other Newcastle Manager Candidates

Meanwhile, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez – who was the early favourite for the job – has drifted out to 9/1 (+900) with Betfair, though he is as low as 5/1 with Coral in a market sportsbooks are finding difficult to agree on.

Rumours over the weekend suggested Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was in the frame for the Newcastle job following his impressive work in leading the Blades from League One to the Premier League. The odds suggest he is indeed in the frame at 6/1 (+600).

The out-of-work Jose Mourinho, who has turned down a staggering £88million deal to become manager of Guangzhou Evergrande, is available at 12/1 (+1200) to replace his former nemesis Benitez on Tyneside, although he has already distanced himself from the job.

Elsewhere, former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has fuelled speculation that he could be in the running for the role at Newcastle after leaving Chinese side Shanghai Shenha last week and the Spaniard is as low as 4/1 (+400) to take charge of the Magpies.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who has declared his interest in the job, is also a 12/1 (+1200) shot, while England women's head coach Phil Neville is a big outsider at 20/1 to take over at Newcastle after leading the Lionesses to fourth place in the Women's World Cup.

Finally, Sean Dyche has drifted out of contention (25/1) having been linked with the role last week.