FORMER Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill has been installed as the new bookies’ favourite to replace Warren Feeney as Newport County AFC manager.

Feeney was sacked this morning after County’s 1-0 defeat at Grimsby Town on Tuesday night saw them slip to the bottom of the Football League.

Cotterill, who has also managed Nottingham Forest, Notts County, Portsmouth, Burnley, Stoke City and Cheltenham Town, is currently out of work after being sacked by Bristol City in January this year.

The 52-year-old has 11 years of managerial experience and is odds-on at 1-2 with bookies Sky Bet to replace Feeney.

Another contender is ex-Cheltenham Town manager Mark who is rated as 8-1 to get the job.

Yates, who has also managed Kidderminster Harriers, was sacked by League Two rivals Crawley Town in April along with his assistant – former Exiles caretaker boss and number two Jimmy Dack.

He was interviewed for the job at Rodney Parade after Dack left in April 2015 but lost out to Terry Butcher.

Based locally and with 10 years in management, the 46-year-old appears to be another obvious candidate if the County hierarchy opt for a more experienced manager to replace relative rookie Feeney.

Current first team coach Sean McCarthy is also 8-1, while goalkeeping coach James Bittner and former coach Mike Flynn are both 10-1.

McCarthy and Bittner are expected to take charge for Saturday’s home clash with Stevenage having remained in post following the departure of Feeney and his assistant Andy Todd.

The Argus understands that it’s unlikely that Flynn will be involved in a coaching role at the club this season.

Other potential candidates include former County defender Chris Todd, who was sacked by Conference promotion hopefuls Eastleigh after just four matches of the current campaign.

He guided Eastleigh to the third round of the FA Cup last season and was spotted at Rodney Parade watching the defeat to Cambridge United last week.

Also on the bookies’ shortlist are Ian Holloway, Dean Saunders, James Beattie, Andy Hessenthaler and John Still.

In a statement County said: “The club is intending to make an appointment as soon as possible and will make an announcement in due course.”

When contacted by the Argus on Wednesday morning Feeney said: “I’m saying nothing. I’ll be releasing a statement through the LMA (The League Manager’s Association).”