Salford City have opened up the search for a new manager for the first time since the summer of 2018 following the club’s shock decision to axe Graham Alexander.

Despite orchestrating an undefeated start to the new League Two season, Alexander was dismissed on Monday lunchtime, to the puzzlement of many fans.

Paul Scholes has since been placed in caretaker charge, but could he step up and bag the permanent job?

We took a look at four of the early names in the next Salford City manager market…

Paul Scholes

Probably the best place to start given that Scholes is the man currently overseeing the first team.

The 45-year-old was made caretaker in the aftermath of Alexander’s departure, however this wouldn’t have been the case if Warren Joyce was available: Salford’s development manager is currently in isolation, but will link up with Scholes once he returns.

Would Scholes fancy another crack following his infamous 31-day spell in charge of Oldham?

Only he can answer that question, but we wouldn’t bank on the Man Utd legend being overly keen on a permanent return - at the moment the value looks to be had elsewhere in the market - although the situation and circumstances favour him this time around, given that he is one of the co-owners of the club.

A few decent results early doors and he may well give himself the job full-time!

Roy Keane

Now this, we’d love to see.

It’s almost a year to the day in which Roy Keane was being linked with the likes of Sunderland, Millwall and Reading. Unfortunately nothing happened, and Keane continued to delight us all as a disgruntled TV pundit instead, most notably with his recent run-in with Jurgen Klopp.

It’s been nine years since the Irishman last graced the dugout with Ipswich, having previously led Sunderland into the Premier League. That’s a long time to be out of management.

“I think it will be a long way back for me but I want to give it another crack. Hopefully I deserve another opportunity,” Keane teased last year.

With his old pals running Salford City, a surprise return could well be on the cards. 

Fingers crossed.

Danny Cowley

Former Huddersfield Town manager Danny Cowley - and brother Nicky - are currently being linked with a return to Yorkshire with Barnsley, who have yet to find a replacement for Gerhard Struber. 

The Cowley’s famously cannonballed Lincoln City from the clutches of non-league up into League One in the space of just three seasons, before tearing themselves away from their beloved Imps in order to test themselves in the Championship with Huddersfield.

The relegated Terriers had endured a sorry start to the season, yet the brothers worked their managerial magic and steered their new club to safety, only to then be unceremoniously sacked - reportedly due to the Cowley’s wanting control over transfers.

Salford previously enjoyed success with joint-managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson, but whether they’d be able to lure Danny and Nicky down into League Two is questionable. The double act will no doubt be eyeing up a return to the Championship, yet moneybags Salford have never hid their ambitions of rocketing out of the league and up the football ladder, while the Cowley’s do love a project.

Would be a cracking appointment.

Paul Tisdale

Another manager who has experience of winning promotion out of League Two is Paul Tisdale, who led Exeter City into League One during his whopping 12-year tenure.

The best-dressed manager around today then sought to further his career with the MK Dons, with whom he took into League One in 2019. However, a disappointing start to his second season cost him his job.

It’s been a year since we last saw Tisdale in the dugout, which is a surprise. He’s frequently being linked with a comeback, but has yet to take the leap back into the managerial arena.

Last month, he opened up a new health clinic with his wife in Bath - The Core - “a physiotherapy and wellbeing clinic specialising in arthritis, rehabilitation and exercise”. 

He’s currently priced at 25/1 to make his return with Salford.

Definitely one to watch.