You can actually bet on Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson to become mayor of Greater Manchester

Manchester are preparing to decide on their first mayor in 2017.

Manchester is thought to be essential to the government’s Northern Powerhouse policy, with an elected mayor set to be installed with power to control transport, employment and education.

Fergie has been tipped to follow a new career? (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

The city is also one of England’s great footballing hubs and is the home of Premier League big boys Manchester United and Manchester City.

And it appears that bookmakers think that the city’s footballing instincts may get the better of voters and lead to a rather bizarre appointment.

England coach Neville is also touted to be in the running (Picture: Getty Images)

You can actually bet on Sir Alex Ferguson to become the mayor of Greater Manchester.

Fergie may have explicitly ruled himself out of the running but that hasn’t stopped Ladbrokes offering odds of 100/1 for him to take the post.
Sir Alex is not alone in the list of sports figures from Manchester entering the running.

Surely Moyes won’t get the gig! (Picture: Getty Images)

Former United right-back Gary Neville is given odds of 50/1 while failed boss David Moyes is also available at 200/1.

Here’s a selected list of candidates, including current interim mayor Tony Lloyd, that you can bet on:

Odds to become Mayor of Greater Manchester

Sir Richard Leese – 5/1

Tony Lloyd – 5/1

Ivan Lewis – 10/1

Gary Neville – 50/1

Sir Alex Ferguson – 100/1

Morrissey – 100/1

Noel Gallagher – 100/1

David Moyes – 200/1