Former Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer and current Blues coach Paul Murray are among the early bookies' frontrunners for the Carlisle United job.

BetVictor were quick to issue odds for the job after Chesterfield-bound John Sheridan's resignation today.

They had Bowyer as 6/1 joint favourite, the 47-year-old having quit as Blackpool manager in August.

Murray - who is in temporary charge along with Sheridan's former No2 Tommy Wright - was also 6/1.

Former Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar was an unlikely figure in the betting but his odds have since lengthened.

More realistic names include Owen Coyle - who recently attended a game at Brunton Park - at 12/1.

Other out-of-work managers listed include Harry Kewell (16/1), Lee Clark (16/1) and Darrell Clarke (20/1).

Ex-United star Matt Jansen, who was closely linked with the job in the summer, is 20/1 along with Wright and current academy manager Darren Edmondson.

The same odds are given to Russell Slade, who was the subject of a tweet from his son in the summer which appeared to suggest he was on the brink of getting the Blues job. United denied he had been part of their manager recruitment process.

Director of football David Holdsworth's odds are 25/1 while even longer shots include Paul Scholes (33/1), Tim Sherwood (33/1) and Alan Pardew (40/1).

United chief executive Nigel Clibbens is a 150/1 shot for the manager's post.

Carlisle have said they have "already started the recruitment process" for a new manager but have not given any further detail.