Bookmakers slash odds on Steve McClaren becoming Birmingham City’s next manager – he’s now favourite alongside Aitor Karanka

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The former Derby County boss was 12/1 to take over at Birmingham City on Wednesday.

Former Derby manager Steve McClaren

Bookmakers Sky Bet have slashed odds on Steve McClaren, the former Derby County manager, taking over at Birmingham City.

McClaren was a 12/1 outsider on Wednesday, but is now as short as 2/1 – tied with long-running favourite Aitor Karanka – to succeed Harry Redknapp at St Andrew’s.

Former Birmingham manager Harry Redknapp

The 56-year-old former England manager was sacked by Derby earlier this year and replaced, ironically, by former Birmingham boss Gary Rowett, whose new side host the Blues in the Championship on Saturday.

It was McClaren’s latest unsuccessful spell in management, having also been shown the door by Newcastle United, Wolfsburg and Derby, separately, since the turn of the decade.

Former Derby manager Nigel Pearson

Another former Rams boss – and McClaren’s predecessor ahead of his second spell at Pride Park – Nigel Pearson, has also had his odds cut by Sky Bet, going from 16/1 to 7/1 in 24 hours.

Birmingham caretaker Lee Carsley is also 7/1, behind Steve Cotterill (4/1), McClaren and Karanka.

Is McClaren set to take over at Birmingham City?