Slade and Pulis look fine fits for Cardiff and Fulham

Coral provides the latest cracking odds on Championship strugglers Cardiff City and Fulham, who are both shopping for a new boss.

The Bluebirds, who currently sit 17th in the second tier, are nine points behind table toppers Nottingham Forest, who they should be competing for promotion with. As the dust settles on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, controversial chairman Vincent Tan will be combing CV’s for a replacement coach.

Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade is currently favourite at 7/4 to take over at the Cardiff City Stadium after leading his League One side to the promotion play-offs last term. Whilst the O’s failed to make the cut after being beaten by Rotherham on penalties, Slade has a wealth of experience after spending almost two decades as a head coach, and could bring consistency and stability to the Welsh capital club.

After a poor start to this season, Slade seemed to be facing the sack at Brisbane Road, and could look to leave if offered a chance to further his career in the Championship. Speaking recently the Orient coach said: “It is nice to be associated with such a big club like that. I think they may have requested permission to talk to me.”

Neil Lennon’s hat is also in the ring for the vacant Bluebirds post. The ex-Celtic boss is on the look-out for his second managerial position after leaving the Hoops at the end of last season.

Lennon, who is 7/1 to be appointed new Cardiff coach, lifted three top-flight trophies with the Bhoys during his four seasons at the club, and has spoken of his interest in returning to management, as he seeks a new challenge.

Fulham, meanwhile, are also on the hunt for a replacement coach after dismissing former Bayern Munich, Schalke and Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath. The Cottagers are sorely in need of stability after winning just one game in all competitions this term.

Malky Mackay is favourite at 2/1 to return to management and take over the reins at Craven Cottage. The former Bluebirds boss has an encouraging coaching record, after saving Watford from relegation in 2009-10 and securing Cardiff’s promotion to the Premier League in 2012/13, before being given the push by trigger-happy Tan.