FORMER Swindon Town midfielder Ryan Mason is the current bookmakers' favourite to become the Robins’ new head coach.

Ben Garner swapped Swindon for Charlton Athletic on Wednesday after 10 months in charge of the County Ground club, and now owner Clem Morfuni must find Town’s fifth permanent manager in the past two years.

Mason can be found at 5-4 to be confirmed as Swindon’s next boss nine seasons after making 16 appearances and scoring five goals during a loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur.

However, according to bettingodds.com, the likelihood of a heroic return for Mason appears slim.

They said: “In truth, it’s difficult to see him leaving right now - unless there’s a sudden summer switch-up at Spurs.

“But if he’s hungry to step out alone in the managerial arena then the Swindon job could represent an ideal first permanent opportunity for the 30-year-old.”

Both Exeter City’s Matt Taylor and ex-Swindon player and coach Matthew Taylor are the joint-second favourites for the job following confusion among bookies.

The Grecians' boss has just achieved promotion from League Two therefore he is unlikely to drop back down for another crack with Swindon.

The former Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth player who made 76 appearances (10 goals) for Town has been looking for work since being sacked by Walsall towards the end of the most recent campaign.

Another ex-Town man, Paul Caddis – currently coaching at Fleetwood Town Under 18s – can be found at 4-1 to take over while Mark Delaney can be found at 6-1 after leaving his post as Aston Villa's Under 23s boss in May.

A handful of other names to be mentioned by Town fans include Richie Wellens and Michael Carrick – both at 25-1.

Wellens led Swindon to the League Two title back in 2019-20 before leaving for Salford City and ending up at Leyton Orient.

Meanwhile, Carrick has been out of work since leaving his role at Manchester United back in December 2021.

Some of the more unlikely names on the list include Mark Cooper (16-1), Sol Campbell (25-1), John McGreal (40-1), Tim Sherwood (66-1), Robbie Fowler (66-1), and David Flitcroft (66-1).