All the speculation surrounding the New York Red Bulls coaching search never had his name in the mix. Until now.

In Saturday's version of his daily podcast The Shot, ESPN's Alexi Lalas reports that former Portuguese international Paulo Sousa is "a good bet to be the next coach of the New York Red Bulls."

Listen to the full report here, which includes news on Claudio Reyna's potential role.

The Red Bulls had no comment on the report when contacted by MLSsoccer.com.

It was only last week that former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister looked like the surefire bet to be appointed as the next RBNY head coach. But the club swiftly denied reports that it had offered the job to the Scotsman.

With less than two weeks until the annual MLS SuperDraft and less than a week until the MLS Player Combine, the Red Bulls are still without an MLS coach after Hans Backe's contract with the club was not renewed at the end of the 2012 season.

Paulo Sousa, who has managed Videoton in Hungary since June 2011, has led the likes of QPR, Swansea and Leicester City in Great Britain following an illustrious playing career. He does not have any MLS experience.

If named RBNY head coach, Paulo Sousa would become the second Portuguese manager to take over the reins of the New York club after Carlos Queiroz in 1996.