Bowyer is early bookies' favourite for Athletic job

Former Blackburn and Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer

The manager’s seat at Boundary Park isn’t even cold yet but a whole host of names are being linked with the vacant post at Athletic just hours after Frankie Bunn was sacked.

Fifty-six-year-old Bunn, who took over back in June, was dismissed shortly after watching his side lose 6-0 at Carlisle United on Boxing Day.

Less than a day after he was fired, bookies are already taking bets on who will replace him at the League Two club with the likes of Darren Ferguson, Paul Scholes and Kevin Nolan all being linked with the job.

Currently the favourite is former Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer, who walked out on the Bloomfield Road club back in August.

The 47-year-old Mancunian, who played for Hereford United, Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United during his playing days, has managed Carshalton Athletic before two spells as caretaker manager at Blackburn Rovers.

He was handed the role full-time at Ewood Park in 2013 but left just two years later.

Also in the frame is thought to be former Shrewsbury Town gaffer John Askey (pictured below).

The 54-year-old Macclesfield Town playing legend took over at New Meadow after the departure of Paul Hurst with ambitions to get the Shrews promoted.

However, things didn’t go according to plan, and he was sacked in November, winning just five of his 21 games in charge.

Other names being linked with the Athletic job include former Burnley manager Owen Coyle, Harry Kewell, who was recently sacked by Notts County, and even former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler.

For the moment Pete Wild has been placed in caretaker charge of the first-team at Boundary Park and will be in the dugout for the trip to Port Vale tomorrow.

The club have said they want a new manager in place as soon as possible.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.