Fulham are 11/2 favourites in bwin’s Championship winner odds after appointing former Everton boss Marco Silva as their new head coach.
The Cottagers were relegated last term after one season back in the Premier League and subsequently parted company with Scott Parker.
Silva has been out of work since being axed by the Toffees in December 2019, having previously been in charge of Hull and Watford.
Owner and chairman Shahid Khan said he had been “inspired” by Silva when meeting him in Portugal.
Khan told the club website: “Marco’s body of work in football was evident.
“But listening to him break down in detail his experiences at each of his stops as a head coach was thoroughly impressive.
“Marco also came prepared, with a full understanding of the players we have and ideas on how we can move forward this season. I loved his energy and optimism.”
Parker had earlier moved from Craven Cottage to Bournemouth and the Cherries can be backed at 10/1 to top the table.
The 40-year-old, who took Fulham up via the play-offs in 2020, declared: “I believe this is the perfect fit for both parties.
“We want to build a team the fans can be proud of and one they feel represents them. We can’t wait to get started.”
Chief executive Neill Blake added: “Scott has always been our number one choice for this role.
“Over a period of time, he has proven himself as one of the best young head coaches in the country.
“Someone who has a clear philosophy on how he wants to play and knows what it takes to win promotion from the Championship.”
The Cherries finished sixth last season under Jonathan Woodgate, who replaced Jason Tindall in February.
Blades bidding to bounce back
Sheffield United’s new manager Slavisa Jokanovic has won promotion with both Watford and Fulham and the Blades are 9/1 in bwin’s Championship winner odds.
The 52-year-old Serbian said: “We will need some fresh blood but there is a lot of quality and a lot of character already in the squad.
“It’s a question of evolution, not revolution. These players have shown they can fight at a different level and they need to do it one time more.
“One of the reasons I came here was because I trust that these players can make me successful – and I will demand and I will push and I am ready to force them to make us all successful.”
West Brom also drop down from the Premier League and are 13/2 to go straight back up as table toppers.
The Baggies have replaced Sam Allardyce with Valerien Ismael after handing the ex-Barnsley boss a four-year contract.
“I feel really proud to have accepted this challenge,” he told the club website. “I feel a big responsibility but I’m ready for this job and I am delighted to be here.
“This was the next step I wanted to take in my career. Although there’s going to be a lot of hard work this season, I am excited for the big task in front of us.”
Ismael led Barnsley to fifth spot last season and the Tykes are 18/1 to finish at the summit this term.
Swansea are 14/1 after missing out on promotion in the play-off final, with Cardiff, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest all quoted at 16/1.
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