Next Morecambe FC manager: latest names linked according to bookies

As Morecambe FC’s search for a new manager continues this week, a number of names lead the odds with the bookmakers.

Derek Adams departed the club on Monday to join Ross County in the Scottish Premiership, taking over the Staggies for a third time. Assistant Manager, John McMahon and First Team Coach, Ged Brannan have assumed temporary charge at Mazuma Mobile Stadium ahead of the trip to Wrexham at the weekend.

Adams leaves with Morecambe sitting ninth in the League Two table, just outside the play off positions, and with two games in hand on most sides above.

As is usual with any football managerial vacancy, the next manager odds with the bookies are viewed with interest, with Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman, at time of writing, leading the way.

Here’s just some of the names that bookmakers think may take over the Shrimps.

John Coleman

Former Shrimps’ striker Coleman is currently one of the most experienced managers in the Football League. Coleman has been in charge of Accrington Stanley since 2014, having previously lead the club between 1999 and 2012, before a short spell at Rochdale.

Coleman took Accrington Stanley to League One in 2017/18, before both Stanley and the Shrimps were relegated at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. They currently sit seventh in League Two, two spots above Morecambe.

David Artell

‘The Moose’ knows the club well, having played for the club between 2007 and 2010, including being part of the squad that made the League Two play offs in 2010.

Artell last managed Crewe Alexandra, as part of a five year spell at Gresty Road, led them to promotion to League One in 2020, before they were relegated at the end of 2021/22, which also marked Artell’s departure. He is currently without a club.

Gary Bowyer

Bowyer is another with League Two promotion experience to his name, and is also used to managing a club facing turmoil off the field, after he led Blackpool out of the division via the play offs in 2017.

Last season he led Dundee in the Scottish Championship. Achieving promotion to the top flight and being named Manager of the Season.

He’s also had spells in charge of Blackburn Rovers, Bradford City and Salford City.

Leam Richarson

Richarson left Wigan Athletic in November 2022, after saving the, at the time, financially stricken Latics from relegation, before leading them to the League One title in 2022.

The 44-year has also had spells managing and coaching at Accrington Stanley, Chesterfield and Portsmouth.

Gareth Ainsworth

Ainsworth is a free agent after he was sacked by Championship side QPR last month.

Before that, Ainsworth coached Wycombe Wanderers for 550 games over eleven years, eventually achieving promotion to League One in 2017/18. In 2020, he guided the club to promotion to the Championship via the play offs, for the first time in the club’s history.

Ged Brannan

Brannan enjoyed a distinguished playing career, including a spell with Morecambe between 2005 and 2007. Earlier this season he moved from coaching Accrington Stanley’s U23s, to become First Team Coach at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.