A surge of bets has seen Neil Lennon emerge as the new favourite for the Bolton Wanderers job, but Chris Hughton cannot be ignored.
The Lancashire club are currently propping up the Championship table, having won just one of their opening 11 fixtures. Such form resulted in the departure of Freedman earlier this month, with interim bosses Andy Hughes and Lee Turner taking charge of the recent home match against Bournemouth, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
Neither temporary manager is expected to be considered as a contender to take the role on a permanent basis, with the likes of Hughton and Tony Mowbray linked in recent days. And last week it was suggested that Phil Brown, who worked at the club for six years under Sam Allardyce, is a target although he insists he is happy at Southend United.
It has now emerged that a flurry of bets have been placed on Lennon, who is a free agent having left Celtic at the end of last season. The former Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest and Wycombe Wanderers midfielder led the Bhoys to three league title and two Scottish FA Cups during four years in charge.
However, Bolton chairman Phil Gartside is thought to want someone who has coached in England and, ideally, the Championship. This could see Lennon miss out in favour of someone like Hughton, who led Newcastle United to the second-tier title in 2009-10 and Birmingham City to fourth place in 2011-12, before leaving for Norwich City. The 55-year-old has been available since being shown the door by the Canaries in April.
Who would be the better fit for Bolton; Lennon or Hughton? Have your say by joining in with the discussion below.
