Who is in the running to replace Steve Bruce at Hull City?

The 2016/17 Premier League season hasn’t even started yet and already we have a top-flight managerial casualty, in the form of Steve Bruce who left Hull City on Friday, just three weeks ahead of the new campaign. A whole host of gaffers have already been linked with the Premier League vacancy, five of which we take a look at below:

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(All odds are best available at the time of writing)

Hull fans, who would you like to see replace Steve Bruce? #hcafc (comment for other)

— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) July 25, 2016

Mike Phelan

• Odds: 11/2 (Bet365)
• Managerial Status: Caretaker manager of Hull
• Former Clubs: Assistant at the likes of Hull, Norwich, Man Utd
• Achievements: A super successful right-hand man to Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd.

It comes as no surprise to see Hull’s caretaker manager Mike Phelan in the frame for the permanent job. The 53-year-old, who has thrown his hat into the ring, brings with him a lorry load of experience…as coach - held the title of assistant at Man Utd, Hull and Norwich - but has yet to venture out solo.

“I want to be a manager, and I don’t really see why I shouldn’t want to be a manager” 

Phelan oversaw Hull’s 2-0 victory at Scunthorpe on Saturday, and is expected to still be at the helm for Tuesday’s friendly against Barnsley. The former Man Utd assistant has been with Hull since early 2015, meaning he knows both the club and the set-up well, which should result in a straightforward transition should he land the job.

Roberto Martinez

• Odds: 6/1 (Paddy Power)
• Managerial Status: Unemployed
• Former Clubs: Everton, Wigan, Swansea
• Achievements: FA Cup (Wigan), 5th Premier League (Everton), League One title (Swansea)

If reports are to be believed, then Hull have set their sights on Roberto Martinez. The former Everton, Wigan and Swansea boss has been out-of-work since the Toffees sacked him in May, but could be tempted to return to the Premier League with the Tigers, should the North East club come calling.

Martinez started his Everton career impressively, leading his troops to a 5th place finish, however a disappointing two seasons followed, which led to his departure at the backend of last term. The Spaniard has since had a two month breather from the stresses and strains of being a football manager, and now the time could be right to start to write a fresh chapter.

Steve McClaren

• Odds: 7/1 (Paddy Power)
• Managerial Status: Unemployed
• Former Clubs: Newcastle, Derby, FC Twente (x2), Nottingham Forest, Wolfsburg, England, Middlesbrough.
• Achievements: Dutch title (FC Twente), League Cup (Middlesbrough)

Steve McClaren will inevitably linked with any lower end Premier League job that arises, but whether Hull we want to take a punt on the former England manager is open to debate. McClaren’s reputation took a pummeling during a disappointing nine-month spell in charge of Newcastle, who sent him packing back in March.

Despite his experience in the dugout an appointment would be considered a big risk by the Premier League new boys, while his association with both the Toon and Middlesbrough could count against him with fans.

Ryan Giggs

• Odds: 7/1 (Bet365)
• Managerial Status: Unemployed
• Former Clubs: -
• Achievements: The most decorated football in British history.

Given the timing of Bruce’s departure it seems unlikely that Hull would take a chance on Ryan Giggs. The Welshman is looking to enter the managerial arena for the first time after ending his 29 -year association with Man Utd earlier this month.

Common sense should mean that the Tigers are looking to appoint a manager with experience who can come in and steady the ship ahead of the rapidly approaching 2016/17 season. Giggs only has three years as an assistant to David Moyes then Louis van Gaal, meaning he would very much be a gamble. However, it’s worth noting that the 42-year-old currently leads a poll we have been running since Monday morning (cast your vote at the top of this page).

Neil Warnock

• Odds: 8/1 (Paddy Power)
• Managerial Status: Unemployed
• Former Clubs: Too many to name! (Rotherham, Leeds, QPR, Sheff Utd etc)
• Achievements: Seven promotions, including 2 up to the Premier League (QPR & Sheff Utd), Northern Premier League Challenge Cup winner (Burton)

Neil Warnock craves one more spell in the dugout, and Hull will no doubt be on his radar. The vastly experienced manager (who has had 16 tenures and overseen over 1300 games since 1980) parted ways with Rotherham at the end of last season following an extremely successful three-month spell, during which he saved the club from relegation.

At 67 Warnock isn’t a long-term option, but then again it’s rare to see a manager at a club for more than 18 months these days. Warnock’s no nonsense approach could just bee what Hull need at this delicate point in time, although his last spell in the Premier League ended prematurely with Crystal Palace.