David Moyes’s odds on being the next manager to leave a Premier League club have been slashed following his comments made to a female reporter at the weekend.

The Sunderland boss reacted to questioning from BBC reporter Vicki Sparks following their 0-0 draw with Burnley a few weeks ago as he quipped she might get ‘slapped’ even if she was a woman.

Figures from the sporting world and beyond were left shocked by Moyes’s comments and some called for him to quit, but the Black Cats chief insists he is not stepping down and has apologised to Sparks.

“It was the heat of the moment. The business we’re in, sometimes you only have seconds to think and answer. So, you know, it was the wrong thing to do.,” he said, insisting that he had not even thought about quitting.

This is disgraceful. David Moyes cannot get away with these sexist threats – the @FA must take action immediately. pic.twitter.com/kcMSQFmI7g

— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (@DrRosena) April 3, 2017

“No, never a consideration,” he said when asked whether he might resign.

It is something which is out of character. As I said, I’ve apologised to the girl. She was fine, she accepted it

“We’re in an industry where sometimes you don’t always answer things the way you want to. I deeply regret the comments I made. It’s certainly not the person I am and I accept it was a mistake.”

Despite Moyes’s insisting that he would not quit, bookmakers have been quick to shorten his odds on leaving and he is now favourite to be the next top-flight manager to leave.

After being 3/1 earlier in the day, BetVictor now make him 7/4 to leave.