FORMER Bristol Rovers manager Ben Garner is the bookmakers favourite to become the next Swindon Town manager.

Garner is currently priced at evens with bookmaker BetVictor, ahead of ex-Swindon boss Mark Cooper. Cooper was the odds on favourite to take over from John McGreal last month, though his odds have lessened slightly and he is now at 3-1.

Newport County manager Michael Flynn is third favourite at 8-1 while Robbie Fowler - who was heavily linked with Town earlier this summer - is one of a handful of managers at 16-1 alongside the likes of Paul Tisdale.

There are also a handful of intriguing outsiders in the running - according to BetVictor - including West Ham United assistant Kevin Nolan, former Shrewsbury Town boss Sam Ricketts, Charlton Athletic coach Jason Euell, and Derby assistant Liam Rosenior all at 33-1.

Other out-of-work managers such as Ian Holloway, Neil Harris, and Alex Neil are also included on the list at 33-1.

Town have been managerless since June 25 when McGreal and assistant Rene Gilmartin resigned, calling the job untenable amid ownership rows and a lack of player signings prior to pre-season.

With Clem Morfuni within touching distance of being confirmed as the new Town owner, the Australian's first task will be to appoint a new manager - and BetVictor have the failed ex-Gas coach as the number one choice.

Garner won just six of his 33 games in charge of Rovers between December 2019 and November 2020 as the Gas finished 14th in the curtailed 2019-20 season.

Rovers picked up where they left off in the subsequent campaign, going on a dreadful run which saw them fall to 18th before Garner was relieved of his duties.

The 41-year-old was previously thought to be a reputable coach with a knack for developing young, promising players after spending time at Crystal Palace's academy and as a part of West Bromwich Albion's first-team backroom staff.

Before that, he was infamously mentored by Jose Mourinho when studying for his UEFA Pro License badge in 2014.