Leicester number two Appleton is narrowly ahead of the Sheffield United manager in the betting to be Chris Coleman’s Sunderland successor.

There is another new favourite for the Sunderland manager’s job after Leicester City’s Michael Appleton leapfrogged Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder in the Sky Bet betting.
Wilder was odds-on to succeed Chris Coleman at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday morning, but is now 11/8 second favourite behind Appleton.

The Leicester number two had begun the day as a 16/1 outsider, before seeing his odds cut to 2/1 in hours.
Like the Sheffield United boss, Appleton is a former manager of Oxford United – the club supported, and invested in, by prospective Sunderland owner Stewart Donald.

The 42-year-old left the U’s last summer to link up with former colleague Craig Shakespeare at Leicester, and remained at the King Power Stadium despite the appointment of Claude Puel seven months ago.
Former Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy (3/1), Wigan Athletic’s Paul Cook (10/1) and Derby coach Kevin Phillips (12/1) are the other leading contenders with Sky Bet.
Would Leicester’s Appleton be a better fit for Sunderland than Sheffield United’s Wilder?
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