Caretaker boss Barry Ferguson early favourite to land Blackpool job

Caretaker boss Barry Ferguson has emerged as the early frontrunner in the Next Blackpool Manager Market. The Seasiders are currently on the hunt for their third permanent manager in less than 15 months following Tuesday's sacking of Paul Ince.

Ince didn't even last a year in the post, while his predecessor, Michael Appleton, was in the dugout for just 11 games after ruthlessly ditching the Tangerines for Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers this time last year.

At this stage Ferguson is the evens favourite (Sky Bet) for the job, while he is odds-on with other bookmakers. The club captain knows the club well, having been there since 2011 and will undoubtedly be a cheap option. However, the 35-year-old midfielder has no managerial experience, although he is expected to be given a chance to prove his credentials in a time of turmoil.
 
Ferguson’s immediate task will be stopping a woeful five-game losing streak. Blackpool have slipped to 14th after registering just a single point from their last nine Championship games, while their last victory dates back to November. His first game in charge is at home to bottom-three side Doncaster on Saturday, followed by a tricky run of fixtures against Reading, Blackburn and Nottingham Forest follow. If the former Rangers player can turnaround the club’s wretched form then he has every chance of being awarded the job until at least the end of the campaign.

The Scot is joined at the top of the betting by fellow countryman Paul Hartley, who can be backed at just 15/8. Last Saturday Hartley surprisingly resigned from his post as Alloa Athletic manager following a 5-1 defeat to Dumbarton, which left the Scottish Championship side 8th in the table, although only nine points adrift of top-spot. Hartley had led the club to back-to-back promotions and has previously been linked with SPL side Inverness CT. Other names in the mix for the Blackpool vacancy include former boss Appleton, Lee Clarke and Steve Thompson.