FORMER Swindon Town defender Adi Viveash continues to spearhead the odds on the identity of the club’s next manager as a Swindon Advertiser poll saw supporters thrust the high-profile names of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Nigel Adkins forward for the post.

Viveash, who made nearly 70 appearances for Town in two spells between 1989-95 and 2003-04, was as low as 1/2 with Skybet last night to succeed Luke Williams following the announcement over the weekend that he was leaving Chelsea’s academy.

The 47-year-old had been with the Blues since 2008 but is being replaced in changes to the Blues’ academy structure after a successful nine-year tenure in which they enjoyed two FA Youth Cup wins and two successes in the U21 Champions League.

After announcing the departure of head coach Williams - with coach Ross Embleton also understood to have left the club on Friday - Town said their search for a new manager was “well under way.’’

Swindon Advertiser:

Also high up the Skybet odds list for the next permanent manager was director of football Tim Sherwood, who publicly distanced himself from involvement in tactical and selection affairs following the club’s relegation to League Two last month.

The former Aston Villa and Tottenham boss was at 5-1 in the betting, just ahead of former Southampton and Sheffield United boss Adkins (6-1) and Queens Park Rangers’ technical director - and former Town player - Chris Ramsey (8-1).

Former Reading and Leeds boss Brian McDermott and ex-Burton and ex-QPR chief Hasselbaink were at 10-1, followed by Alan Stubbs and Owen Coyle at 12-1.

An Adver poll asking supporters and readers who they would like as manager saw Hasselbaink lead the voting with 38 per cent, just ahead of Adkins on 32 per cent.

Viveash was a distant third on 17 per cent, with Ramsey a further nine per cent behind and Sherwood garnering only six per cent.