Dowie enters boss equation

IAIN DOWIE . . . in charge of Athletic more than a decade ago

THE SEARCH for Athletic's new boss continues, with the drawing up of a short list that includes Iain Dowie.

Former boss Dowie (51) ­- who has been out of club management for six years ­- is an intriguing presence in a list that is also thought to include Huddersfield under-21s coach Frank Bunn, Accrington manager John Coleman and a fresh name in Swansea's experienced first-team coach Alan Curtis.

APPOINTMENT

Athletic hope to make an appointment by early next week at the latest.

It remains to be seen whether Dowie ­would be willing to work under a tight playing budget in Sky Bet League One terms, which is thought to be slightly down on last season's £1.3million total.

A former Northern Ireland international currently working as a regional sales manager, Dowie's last spell in charge at the club was in 2002-03 when propelling the club into the play-offs with the help of significant backing from Chris Moore.

A recognisable presence through his television punditry stints on Sky Sports, Dowie starred in Saturday night's special football-themed edition of BBC1 game show 'Pointless Celebrities', reaching the final round alongside Neil Lennon.

Bunn, who could opt to bring in another ex-Athletic player in Huddersfield development coach Tony Carss if he gets the nod, is still the current bookies' favourite.

Coleman (53) took Accrington to within a whisker of promotion from League Two last season before suffering defeat in the play-offs against AFC Wimbledon and had a short stint at Rochdale.

INTERNATIONAL

Curtis (62), an ex-Wales international, has decades of coaching experience with the Swans and had a short spell as caretaker manager at the Liberty Stadium this season when Garry Monk was sacked.

Athletic chairman Simon Corney is taking charge of the recruitment process, after the club received more than 100 applications for the role. Newport boss Warren Feeney is no longer thought to be a leading contender.