Championship 2022/23: A bet for every new managerial appointment

Since the 2021/22 season came to a close there have been a multitude of managerial appointments in the EFL.

With the 2022/23 season now just over three weeks away we thought we’d refresh the memory banks and collate every new full-time appointment within the Championship, League One and League Two, complete with a season related bet for each.

The first of three articles focuses on the Championship, which is now home to the likes of Vincent Kompany and Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Follow the links for League One and League Two.

Vincent Kompany (Burnley)

Four-time Premier League winner Vincent Kompany brings a sprinkling of stardust to the Burnley touchline. The former Anderlecht manager is undoubtedly a high-profile and exciting appointment, however being an iconic player doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be dynamite in the dugout.

The 36-year-old has been tasked with spearheading a new more youth-oriented era at the Clarets who will be bidding to bounce back from their relegation from the Premier League. So much change and the departure of key personnel means it might prove to be a season too soon for a swift top-flight return, but the club have won promotions in each of their last two second-tier seasons, and can be backed at 7/2 to continue that trend in 2022/23.

Michael Beale (QPR)

The age-old question of whether a top coach can transition into a successful manager will be asked of Michael Beale, the highly-rated and very likeable new QPR boss, who has spent the last four years working with Steven Gerrard at Rangers and Aston Villa. The former Liverpool and Chelsea coach had a big say when it came to tacticals and training under Gerrard, but now the buck stops with him as No.1 at the Rs, who are 3/1 to finish in the top-6 for the first time since their promotion-winning 2013/14 season.

Rob Edwards (Watford)

Poached from Forest Green Rovers after a single yet extremely successful season during which he won the League Two title, Rob Edwards becomes the latest in a long line of Pozzo appointments at Watford. It's a big jump up two tiers, so only time will tell whether his arrival represents a shrewd move or dodgy gamble. Time is key here, after all this is a club who absolutely steam through the managers, orchestrating a change during four of the last five seasons. Edwards will need to adapt swiftly and will be expected to not only challenge for promotion, but win the title (7/1). The Hornets can also be backed at 7/2 to score the most goals. 

Michael Appleton (Blackpool)

Michael Appleton has moved up a division following a difficult season at Lincoln, with whom he previously came close to leading to the Championship. Now back at Blackpool for a second spell he’ll be determined to show the fans what he has to offer following his controversial 12-game spell 10 years ago. He’s since vastly improved as a manager and added valuable experience to his CV, meaning there’s a real hope he can continue the excellent work of Neil Critchley, whose sudden departure to Aston Villa took everyone by surprise. The Tangerines are available at 2/1 (SkyBet) to finish in the top-half.

Jon Dahl Tomasson (Blackburn)

Once Tony Mowbray’s exit was, eventually, announced by the club few could have predicted that Jon Dahl Tomasson would be the manager to replace him at Ewood Park. A two-time title winner with Malmo, Tomasson represents an intriguing and potentially invigorating appointment. He’s targeted the Premier League, and the 9/1 (Sky Bet) to propel his side to promotion could get a few nibbles.

John Eustace (Birmingham)

A summer of intense speculation surrounding the future of Lee Bowyer eventually reached its climax last weekend when Birmingham revealed his departure on the Saturday, then swiftly appointed John Eustace 24 hours later. The former QPR No.2 is highly rated in coaching circles but faces a huge task at the Blues - who are frequently plagued by off-field issues - with the club one of the favourites for relegation at 2/1.

Paul Ince (Reading)

Not strictly a new face in the Championship's managerial arena, Paul Ince spent the final few months of last season as Reading's interim manager and steered the club to safety. He’s since been handed a permanent contract but another campaign battling the drop is likely with Reading 8/1 to finish bottom.

Danny Schofield (Huddersfield)

Huddersfield suffered a devastating blow in early July when their play-off-final-reaching head coach, Carlos Corberan, resigned from his post. The news came just three weeks before their opening-day fixture against Burnley, but the Terriers reacted by swiftly appointing Danny Schofield as the Spaniard’s surprise replacement. Schofield has coached at the likes of Barnsley, Leeds, Middlesbrough, and Huddersfield for the last couple of years, however this will be his first outright job as a No.1. It's a big call by the club. Town are 11/10 to finish in the top-half next season (William Hill).