Redfearn unveiled as Liverpool Ladies' boss

Athletic legend Neil Redfearn is the new manager of Liverpool Ladies

Athletic’s quest to find their next manager has taken a turn with the news that the man who was the bookies' favourite for the job has accepted a role elsewhere.

Club playing legend Neil Redfearn was being tipped for a return to Boundary Park, but he has now been announced as the new manager of Liverpool’s Ladies team.

It marks the former Leeds United manager’s second stint in the women’s game having held the role of boss of Doncaster Rovers Belles between 2017 and 2018 before securing the role at Liverpool.

It rules Redfearn out of the running to replace Richie Wellens at Athletic, leaving the likes of Paul Scholes, Darren Ferguson and current defender Peter Clarke being linked with the job.

However, there are some reports that Clarke has also ruled himself out of the running.

Others being linked with the job include Keith Curle, Dougie Freedman, Sol Campbell and Owen Coyle, along with a whole host of other names.

Meanwhile, for the second season in a row the draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup will be made on foreign soil, with the EFL upping sticks and moving to Vietnam on Friday morning.

A total of 70 teams will be drawn by Steve McManaman, Louis Saha and Dennis Wise, including Athletic.

It marks the start of the big countdown to the new season kicking off in the first weekend of August with ties in the first round of the League Cup due to take place on the week commencing August 13.

It was Manchester City who took home the trophy last season, comfortably beating Arsenal at Wembley Stadium to add the title to the Premier League.

The final will, once again, take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, February 24, 2019 with the winners guaranteed a place in the Europa League the following season.