Bookies cut Jones odds to take over at Bluebirds
NATHAN Jones remains strong in the market to become Cardiff City’s new manager. Bookmakers have seen money for the Welshman to be appointed as Bluebirds boss and he has been trimmed into 9-2 to take over from Sabri Lamouchi.
The Frenchman had been expected to stay on at the Cardiff City Stadium after guiding them to Championship safety last term. But his contract was not extended following talks with owner Vincent Tan last week.
Jones is third in bookies’ lists, with Sol Bamba still heading the market at 8-11. Steve Morison, who has emerged as a shock contender to take the reins again just eight months after his sacking, is second in the betting at a best-priced 5-2 with SkyBet.
Other names in the frame include Alexander Blessin (12-1), Kevin Phillips and Osian Roberts (both 16-1) and Slavisa Jokanovic (20s).
Meanwhile, Portsmouth want Cardiff-linked winger Ronan Curtis tied down to a new deal as soon as possible.
Curtis has been a name long linked with the Bluebirds, but the managerial instability means a move for the Republic of Ireland man appears to be down the list of priorities.
The 27-year-old is currently recuperating from a serious knee injury and Pompey boss John Mousinho admitted that will have to be factored into talks over his future.
Mousinho said: “Talks are ongoing with Ronan. We wanted to focus on Ronan’s surgery and rehab over the back end of the season.
“He came in the back end of last week and we had discussions with Ronan and said, from my point view, what I think of Ronan and there will be a contract offer on the table.
“Then it’s down to the agent and football club to negotiate what that is.
“So that’s ongoing and I think Ronan has gone back to Ireland to spend a bit of time with his family.
“He’s there for a couple of weeks and that’s great, because he needs to be back there and his agent can take care of everything else.
“So hopefully we have a bit of good news over the next couple of weeks with Ronan.”