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Odds are on an Ince exit

Mike Glendinning
7/ 2/2007

BETTING has been suspended on Macclesfield Town manager Paul Ince leaving the Moss Rose to become Coventry City's new manager.

Ince was a 25/1 outsider to succeed Micky Adams at the Ricoh Arena but, after a profusion of bets on 'The Guv'nor', online bookmakers Bet365 made him the 11/8 hot favourite before suspending all bets.

Rumours have been circulating that the Macc boss would head to the Championship side since he was spotted watching a Coventry league game and, now that no more bets are being taken, it is expected that he will join the Sky Blues in the imminent future.

Coventry's managing director, Paul Fletcher, is heading the club's search for a permanent replacement for Adams. He is understood to be compiling a ten-man shortlist and holding interviews over the next fortnight.

He said that some of the candidates are already serving managers and, in those cases, the Sky Blues will go through the correct channels. No final decision is expected at the Ricoh until the end of the month.

Adrian Heath is the current caretaker manager, although he has taken just three of a possible nine points since taking over.

Ince, who came to Macclesfield in October, has defied a lack of managerial experience to turn the Silkmens' season around.

At the time, Macc were rock bottom and low on confidence, but Ince signed a contract to keep him in Cheshire until the end of 2007 and, with the help of his assistant Ray Mathias, guided the club to a revival that puts them in with a fighting chance of maintaining their league status.

Ince led Macc to a money-spinning FA Cup tie at Chelsea and gates at the Moss Rose have increased by around 20 per cent.

Any approach for Ince is likely to cost the Championship club a hefty compensation settlement.

Macclesfield chairman Rob Bickerton said: "I'm well aware that Paul is a hot favourite for the Coventry job and I can understand other clubs' interest because he's done such a great job so far.

"We have talked about Coventry's interest but we are both focused on our priority, which is the MK Dons game.

"Paul is going to be linked with every such job that comes up. He wants to manage at a high level and I can understand his ambition but we're concentrating on ensuring Macclesfield Town are safe."

Ince's success in the short time he has been at the Moss Rose helm, coupled with his high profile and playing record, ensures that he is a potential target for clubs higher up the league system.

He said of the speculation: "I am flattered by the interest of Coventry City, they are a club with a great history, fan base and a fantastic new stadium, but I have a job to do at Macclesfield and I will not be happy until they are safe."