Next Plymouth Manager Odds: Cleverley Favourite For Pilgrims Role
Tom Cleverley has emerged as the new favourite to become Plymouth Argyle’s next manager, according to betting sites, following the departure of Miron Muslic.
Muslic succeeded Wayne Rooney in January and, despite a spirited effort, couldn’t prevent Argyle’s relegation to League One.
The club confirmed Muslic would not return after the summer break, a decision cemented when he signed a two-year deal with German second-tier side Schalke.
Former Manchester City youth coach Brian Barry-Murphy had been odds-on favourite to be in the dugout at Home Park next season as recently as last week, but has now been replaced at the top of the market by the ex-United man.
So who will be the Pilgrims' next gaffer as they plot an immediate return to the Championship?
Let’s take a look at some of the contenders and the latest next Plymouth manager odds.
Cleverley Heads The Market
Having been 2/1 to get the Plymouth job last week, former Watford boss Cleverley is now the 17/20 favourite in the next Plymouth manager odds.
The 35-year-old was dismissed by the Hornets in May, but he could be set for a swift return to the dugout with the Pilgrims.
His departure from Watford came as a surprise to some, and the talented young coach is expected to be snapped up by another club before long.
Should Plymouth appoint him as their new manager, the former Manchester United midfielder would likely be seen as a significant coup.
Next Plymouth Manager Odds
Manager | Odds | Probability |
Tom Cleverley | 17/20 | 54.1% |
Brian Barry-Murphy | Evens | 50% |
Des Buckingham | 9/4 | 30.8% |
Johannes Hoff Thorup | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Jack Wilshere | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Derek Adams | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Paul Wotton | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Stephen Robinson | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Ian Evatt | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Adin Osmanbasic | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Barry-Murphy A Strong Contender
Barry-Murphy has been working as first-team coach at Leicester City under Ruud van Nistelrooy since December, but now finds himself among the frontrunners to become the next Plymouth manager.
The 46-year-old has built a strong reputation for developing young talent, having led Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad to back-to-back Premier League 2 titles.
His spell at Rochdale also showcased his ability to implement attractive football under challenging conditions.
With the Pilgrims targeting an immediate return to the Championship, Barry-Murphy’s emphasis on youth development and tactical intelligence makes him a compelling candidate for the club’s long-term vision.
Barry-Murphy is now Evens to get the Plymouth job with football betting sites.
Buckingham In The Picture
Des Buckingham guided Oxford United to promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season, an achievement he would surely highlight in discussions with prospective clubs like Plymouth.
Although he was dismissed in December with Oxford still above the relegation zone, many fans believed he should have been given more time to turn things around in the Championship.
His experience in the EFL is limited beyond his time at Oxford, but he has built a strong reputation with successful managerial spells in New Zealand and India.
Buckingham was once favourite for the Plymouth job, and although his odds have drifted to 9/4, he remains in contention.
Thorup Enters The Race
Former Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup is a new name in the betting market to be Argyle's new head coach.
The 36-year-old Dane was appointed by Norwich last summer after previously being successful at Nordsaelland in his home country.
However, after a poor run of results which saw the Canaries drop out of Championship play-off contention he lost his job in late April.
He is now 5/1 to be the next through the door at Home Park.
Wilshere Wants Head Job
Since leaving Norwich at the end of the season, Jack Wilshere has been linked with several roles and now finds himself in the frame to become the next Plymouth manager.
Wilshere stepped in as caretaker for the final two games of the season, replacing Johannes Hoff Thorup. Despite earning four points from those matches, the club later announced that he would be leaving Carrow Road.
The former Arsenal midfielder has expressed his ambition to become a head coach, and eagle-eyed fans noticed he had followed Plymouth-related accounts on Instagram - sparking speculation that he may be heading to Home Park.
Wilshere is 6/1 with betting apps to start his first permanent managerial role in Devon.
Former Faces Linked With Return
Plymouth sacked Derek Adams in April 2019 having previously led the Pilgrims to League One in 2017.
He later took Morecambe to their first-ever League One promotion in 2020/21.
Adams is now in his third spell at the Shrimps, and following relegation to the National League, he is 8/1 to make a return to Home Park.
Interestingly, current Torquay United boss Paul Wotton, a former Plymouth player and mainstay at Argyle as Adams' assistant, is 12/1 for the role.
Robinson Boasts Strong Track Record
Since joining St Mirren in 2022, Stephen Robinson has secured three consecutive top-six finishes, something the club has not achieved since 1985.
Working with limited resources, he has built a resilient and competitive squad and, while League One would offer a solid budget for Argyle, promotion to the Championship may demand similar financial management.
Robinson’s track record suggests he’s well-suited to that challenge, offering Argyle a strong chance of building another capable team under budget constraints and he's next in the market at 14/1.
Evatt Ready For Right Opportunity
Ian Evatt's successful four-and-a-half-year spell as Bolton boss came to an end in January, but he is ready to return to management again having been "ready for a rest".
Evatt led the Trotters to promotion from League Two in 2021 and made it to the play-offs in back-to-back seasons, suffering heartache in the final to Oxford in the 2023/24 campaign.
The former Barrow boss, with whom he won promotion from the National League, has turned down offers since leaving Wanderers by mutual consent, but his batteries have been recharged and he is now looking for the "right option", and can be backed at 14/1 for the Plymouth job.
Osmanbasic Familiar With Players
Adin Osmanbasic remains at Plymouth after Muslic’s departure.
A UEFA A licence holder, he followed Muslic from Cercle Brugge in January and the former MLS analyst is 20/1 for the job, but may lack experience for a first managerial role.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
