Former Carlisle United boss Chris Beech is the early bookies' favourite for the top job at Fleetwood Town.

Beech, who was sacked by the Blues last October, is Evens with BetVictor for the League One role.

Fleetwood are seeking a new boss after confirming Stephen Crainey, who was in charge for the closing stages of the season, will return to his Under-23s role.

After the Lancashire club narrowly held onto their third-tier status on goal difference, the club have launched the process to find a new manager.

Beech, who has previously been linked with Fleetwood, could be an obvious contender for the job at his home-town club.

Others in the early betting include Scott Brown, David Martindale, Jamie Milligan and Kenny Jackett. Former United coach Nathan Rooney, who was loaned to Carlisle by Fleetwood during Steven Pressley's reign, is 20/1.

Chairman Andy Pilley told the Fleetwood website of the process: “This isn’t something we are going to rush.

“We intend to take our time to ensure we find the right person to take the club forward and over see what will be a hugely important summer for Fleetwood Town.

“I think the person coming in must get along with myself and Steve Curwood [chief executive] and understand the objective of this football club.

"We want sporting success, but we also want to have a club where there are opportunities for younger players to get game time and cement themselves within the first team set-up."

Beech, 47, was at the United helm from November 2019 until last October, achieving survival in his first season then topping the table last term before the Blues fell to tenth.

A poor start to this campaign saw him dismissed and replaced by Keith Millen, who was subsequently axed as United brought Paul Simpson back.

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