Wayne Rooney has been sacked by Birmingham City after just 15 games in charge at St Andrews. The former Derby manager led the Blues to just two wins, and the search is now on for a replacement, with betting sites pricing up the market.

The latest betting odds from football betting sites suggest that Tony Mowbray is almost certainly set to take up the vacant position at St Andrews, with Jesse Marsch and Frank Lampard still among the front-runners. While there was also money for Steve Cooper early on. Cooper has recently left Nottingham Forest and could be a viable candidate for the role. England under-21s manager Lee Carsley is also highly thought of and is among the front-runners.

Having left Sunderland recently, Mowbray is highly thought of in the Championship for the work he has done with both the Black Cats and Blackburn Rovers prior to that. 

Will Steve Cooper Take Charge at St Andrews?

Steve Cooper could be set for an immediate return to football management, according to the latest odds from the best betting apps. The former Nottingham Forest boss might well be targeted by the Birmingham City owners following their decision to sack Wayne Rooney, and it’s easy to see why they might want to hire the Welshman.

Cooper took charge of Nottingham Forest when they were stationed at the foot of the Championship table before guiding the Midlands outfit to promotion through the play-offs. Last season, he cemented the Tricky Trees in the Premier League and was making a decent fist of things until recently being relieved of his duties at the City Ground.

Having such a strong track record in the Championship with Forest and Swansea City could see him being interviewed for the role, and it wouldn’t come as a big surprise if we saw him hired as manager.

Jesse Marsch Could Also Be on Blue Shortlist

Jesse Marsch has been out of work since leaving Leeds United in 2023, although the American is among the betting favourites to replace Rooney with new betting sites. The 50-year-old was able to keep the Yorkshire side afloat in the Premier League after taking charge but he was sacked the following February after a troubled campaign in 2022/23.

Marsch was reportedly close to being appointed Southampton manager in 2023 before failing to agree personal terms, with the Birmingham owners potentially interested in pursuing a candidate who would fit their particular business model.

Could Carsley Make a Return to St Andrews? 

Lee Carsley is the current manager of the England under-21 team, and the 49-year-old has been linked to a string of vacant positions this season. Perhaps he will be attracted by the prospect of returning to a club for whom he made 48 appearances as a player, while he was also part of the coaching set-up at St Andrews.

In 2017, Carsley took charge of the Birmingham under-23 team, and he was briefly caretaker boss in the same year. Since then, he has been part of the England set-up and won the Euros with the under-21 team last year.

Scott Parker Has Impressive Championship Track Record

Scott Parker is often found near the top of next manager betting shortlists, with the 43-year-old having enjoyed stints with Fulham, AFC Bournemouth and Club Brugge. He was able to engineer a promotion with the Cherries two seasons ago before getting sacked after a poor start to life in the Premier League that saw him complain about a lack of finances.

Parker didn’t last particularly long in Belgium but was previously impressive at Craven Cottage, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if we found him among the candidates that were interviewed for the vacant position. He’s a confident character who is likely to present himself well.