Morecambe manager Jim Bentley is now the odds-on favourite with Sky Bet to become the next manager of Sky Bet League One side Shrewsbury Town. The Shrews are without a boss after Micky Mellon left to take on the job with his Tranmere Rovers, who he played for as a player.
Bentley, who is the fifth-longest serving manager in English senior football, has now shot ahead of the likes of ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Kenny Jackett to go clear in the betting to take over from Mellon. The Shrimps currently sit 10th in League Two and could be in a play-off place once the weekend has passed.
He has worked under a very limited budget at the Globe Arena since his appointment in 2011. He played well over 250 games for the club as a player and the 40-year-old has consolidated the club in League Two, who now harbours ambitions of finishing in the top half and challenging the play-offs this season. They face Carlisle United this weekend, and in his pre-match press briefing, Bentley gave no hint, nor was he even asked about his future at the club or being linked elsewhere.
Salop are currently in the League One relegation places following a below-par start to the season. Steve Cotterill has recently ruled himself out of the running to take on the job. The likes of Ian Holloway, Tony Mowbray and current caretaker Danny Coyne has also been linked to the role.
