Michael Bridges has emerged as a strong contender for the vacant Carlisle United job.
The Cumbrians are in the hunt for a new manager to replace Steven Pressley, who was sacked after a poor start to the season.
They are currently 19th in League Two and five points above the relegation zone.
Names such as Andy Welsh, Gavin Skelton and Danny Grainger are in the running for the full-time job, however, Bridges is the 2/1 favourite on SkyBet.
The 41 year-old had a successful spell as a player at Brunton Park and is looking to get into management after doing all his coaching badges. He has been linked with a return to Carlisle as manager in the past.
Bridges, who is a former England Under-21 international, was born in South Shields and started his career at Sunderland. He broke into their first team as a youngster and went onto score 16 goals in 79 games for the Black Cats.
Leeds United snapped him up in 1999 for a fee of around £5 million and spent five years at Elland Road, scoring 19 goals.
He then went onto have spells at Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, Bristol City, Carlisle, Hull City and MK Dons.
Bridges moved to Australia for the latter years of his playing days with stints at Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets and Lambton Jaffas.
He is now a candidate for the Carlisle manager’s job as he looks to kick-start a managerial career. Will the Cumbrians turn to a familiar face to lead them up the fourth tier table?
