Nokia CEO Bookies' Pick to Replace Steve Ballmer

Who will replace Steve Ballmer as Microsoft's chief executive officer? It's a tough question, but one many people are asking right now. That's why a British bookmaker, or 'bookie', is taking bets on Ballmer's replacement.

Ladbrokes is one of the leading bookmakers in the United Kingdom. Recently the firm posted its list of the top picks for Microsoft CEO.

According to Ladbrokes, it's likely the next Microsoft chief executive officer has already worked for the Redmond, Washington-based firm.

Nokia CEO Given 5/1 Odds

The current front runner is Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, who served as head of Microsoft's Business Division from January 2008 until September 2010.

Nokia, makers of the Lumia line of smartphones, has worked closely with Microsoft in recent years. Lumia phones run Microsoft's Windows Phone mobile operating system.

That suggests there may be a close bond between Elop and Microsoft's leading executives and that transitioning the Nokia exec into the top job at Microsoft would be easy. That may be why Ladbrokes is offering 5/1 odds that Elop lands the job. (Source: telegraph.co.uk)

Long Shots Include Bill Gates, Tim Cook

Still, Ladbrokes also gives Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner and executive vice president of devices and studio business, Julie Larson-Green, a solid chance of landing the top job.

Turner and Larson-Green have been given 6/1 and 8/1 odds, respectively.

Also coming in at 8/1 odds: former Microsoft Windows Division president, Steven Sinofsky.

Sinofsky recently agreed to become an advisor for cloud storage firm Box, though that probably wouldn't prevent him from replacing Ballmer, a man he reportedly clashed with on several projects. (Source: zdnet.com)

Long shots to land Ballmer's job include Twitter founder Jack Dorsey (40/1), Microsoft co-founder and current chairman Bill Gates (50/1), and Apple chief executive officer, Tim Cook (100/1). (Source: telegraph.co.uk)