A quique divorce for the Saints? Punters latch on to Flores to replace Mark Hughes

Paddy Power have made former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores favourite to replace Mark Hughes as the new Saints boss after Mark Hughes was sacked.

The Irish bookmaker took a series of south coast bets on the Spaniard returning to the Premier League after a two-year absence, and make him the clear favourite to arrive at St Mary’s.

Former RB Leipzig chief Ralph Hasenhuttl is the surprise other name in contention, with the rest of the field some way back.

Spokesman Paddy Power said:

On Friday and Saturday, we saw sustained interest in betting on Sanchez Florez replacing Mark Hughes, though we expected the draw with Manchester United to buy him some time.

“Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or after their game with Tottenham, we think the Southampton board will be serving up Quique sooner rather than later.”