Gannon is bookies’ choice for Latics job

JIM GANNON: Penney replacement favourite

Former County boss favourite for hot-seat

JIM GANNON has emerged as the bookies’ favourite for the vacant Athletic manager’s job.

The former Stockport boss enjoyed great success with the Hatters, taking the club up from Coca-Cola League Two via the play-offs on a tight budget before being made redundant just over a year ago as part of cost-cutting measures.

The 41-year-old has since had short spells in charge at Motherwell and Peterborough but has made it known he would prefer to manage a club in the North-West.

Whether that is as Dave Penney’s replacement at Athletic or back with Stockport again remains to be seen.

But the hopes of the Edgeley Park faithful in attracting Gannon (pictured) back are pinned on the takeover bid of the 2015 consortium led by former County chief executive Sean Connelly proving successful.

Just behind Gannon in the betting is one-time Rochdale, Preston and Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson, with caretaker manager Martin Gray third favourite just ahead of former Boundary Park favourite Frank Bunn.

Captain Sean Gregan is rated just in front of reserve-team boss Lee Duxbury, with Andy Ritchie and ex-Blackburn Rovers and MK Dons man Paul Ince next.

Three former Manchester United stars — ex-Athletic full-back Denis Irwin, Grotton-based Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt — also feature.

While Athletic are staying tight-lipped on who has applied for the role, it has been confirmed that Gray, who spoke with club directors yesterday, has submitted his application for the job.

Athletic say it will be considered along with those from outside the club, with hope being that a new manager is in place by the end of this month at the latest.

Next Athletic manager odds (from Victor Chandler): Jim Gannon 5-2; Paul Simpson 9-2; Martin Gray 6-1; Frank Bunn 7-1; Sean Gregan 8-1; Lee Duxbury 9-1; Paul Ince 9-1; Andy Ritchie 9-1; Nicky Butt 10-1; Alan Knill 10-1; Denis Irwin 14-1; Paul Scholes 14-1; Neil Thompson 16-1; Dean Holdsworth 16-1; John Coleman 16-1; Iain Dowie 18-1; Gary Speed 20-1; Sammy McIlroy 20-1; Peter Taylor 25-1; Lee Richardson 25-1; Dean Windass 25-1; Keith Hill 28-1; Lee Sinnott 33-1.


GOALKEEPING coach Andy Collett has followed ex-manager Dave Penney out of the Boundary Park exit door.