Ladbrokes have paid out on Guus Hiddink as the new manager of Chelsea - but have opened a new book on who will be in charge of the team on the first day of next season.

The firm believe the Dutch veteran will be unveiled as the caretaker boss at Stamford Bridge within the next 48 hours.

Yet they will let wagers on the other runners in the race ride until a permanent appointment is made and open another market to let the punters decide who will get the gig permanently.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison explained: "We reckon it's a done deal and if we've got it wrong we'll take it on the chin and pay out on whoever does get it."

"Given the temporary/permanent debate the picture is confusing to punters and bookies alike and it seems the fairest conclusion."

Hiddink is now the 5/4 favourite to be Chelsea boss on the first day of next season, with Frank Rijkaard next in the betting at 4/1 and Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti both quoted at 6/1.

Hutchison added: "The growing trend of appointing managers in a caretaker capacity is beginning to play havoc with football's first novelty market.

"Moving forward there may be a case to draw up a market on who will be manager of the a club - permanent or otherwise - on a given date which would iron out any discrepancies."

LATEST BETTING

Chelsea manager at the start of the 2009/10 season

5/4 Guus Hiddink
4/1 Frank Rijkaard
6/1 Jose Mourinho
6/1 Carlo Ancelotti
10/1 Avram Grant
10/1 Roberto Mancini
12/1 Sven Goran Eriksson
20/1 Martin O'Neill
33/1 Steve Clarke
33/1 Didier.Deschamps
33/1 Marco Van Basten
50/1 Roberto Di Matteo
50/1 Jurgen Klinsmann
 

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