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Tuesday saw yet another favourite emerge in Leeds United’s search for a manager. This time it’s Spanish legend Fernando Hierro, and many stories have already been written about the possible appointment.

Five things about Fernando Hierro, Leeds United fans react on Twitter to latest favourite, Could Leeds have found their own Jaap Stam in Fernando Hierro? Etc, etc..

There are many, and it’s driving bets, because Hierro, who was first quoted at 33/1, is now down to 2/1.

The problem is, it’s all been made up by a Leeds United fan, probably to show how ridiculous the circus has become.

Using Twitter to ask Sky Bet for odds, for no reason whatsoever, and then making it clear he’d made it all up, the Leeds United fan probably wasn’t too shocked to see how far the story got.

And it’s not the first case.

Quique Sánchez Flores? First link was a fan asking Sky Bet for odds. Hannes Wolf? The same. A whole string of other managers have also appeared as a contender that way, as Leeds United fans have had a little fun with the situation.

Sky Bet don’t mind adding names and odds, because the whole process is driving the betting and generating revenue. Because of the implied trust connection with the Sky name, some fans believe a new name appearing on the odds list means something, and that leads to bets.

As we explained on Tuesday:

‘Over the past couple of weeks, a new name appearing in the odds list has led to articles along the lines of ‘New man in running for Leeds United job’. That, inevitably, leads fans to think there’s a reason for the new name, and some of them have a bet.

Some fans having a bet sees the odds shorten, which leads to articles along the lines of ‘Odds shorten for manager to get Leeds United job, could be something happening’.

Of course, that leads to more people thinking there’s something behind it, and more bets are placed, and before too long the articles are ‘New favourite for Leeds United, odds tumble for manager to get job’, ‘Leeds United fans react on Twitter to new manager favourite as odds shorten’.

And then, repeat. A new name, the process starts again, and it all ends with Leeds United not having a new manager. This has been going on for at least a couple of weeks now, and is a new step forward (and back) in reporting on managerial vacancies. Sure, similar has happened before, but not quite to this extent.’

As long as it’s driving hits, giving reason for multiple articles on each new fake target, and working for the betting companies, it looks like it’ll continue.

 

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