SWINDON Town are not close to appointing the club’s next head coach despite bookmakers having suspended betting, Adver Sport understands.

When the market temporarily closed on Thursday morning, former Canadian international Marc Bircham was the odds-on favourite to take the reins at the County Ground.

Chris Hughton had been leading the running, but Adver Sport understands the former Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Newcastle United manager is no longer in contention.

Ex-Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell is thought to be keen on taking over at SN1 and has reportedly been contacted by Swindon’s hierarchy, while former Ipswich Town Under-23s manager Kieron Dyer is said to have been interviewed already.

Former Swindon player Matt Taylor and England U19 manager Ian Foster are believed to be two others in contention.

Current favourite Bircham is the assistant manager at Italian side, Como 1907 as well as the director of development.

The 44-year-old was the manager of Irish side Waterford for six months following an 18-month spell as assistant boss to Ian Holloway at Championship club, Queens Park Rangers between 2016-18.

Bircham’s spell at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium was the second time he was Holloway’s number two after a year-long stint under the Bristol-born coach at Millwall between 2013 and 2015.

Born in Wembley, north London, Bircham also took up the assistant role under Frank Yallop at Chicago Fire in the MLS and Arizona United – now Phoenix Rising – in the second tier of American soccer.

When reports broke of Bircham’s possible appointment in Wiltshire, Town fans on social media were split in their opinions.

Brendan Hobbs said: “If it is Bircham, it ticks a lot of boxes.

“Will be reasonably priced given the inexperience, won't want new coaches, will be happy to work under SdM, may accept the 'develop young players, winning is secondary' philosophy - an experienced manager wants to win, not sustain #stfc”

Meanwhile, Dan Johnson said: “With all the managers available why go for someone with such little experience in Marc Bircham?

“It seems we’re appointing someone simply to fit the technical director and head coach model, and not who would be best for the job.”