A host of well known names in football are already being linked with the vacant Colchester United manager's job less than 24 hours after Steve Whitton was asked to quit the role.

NIGEL CLOUGH, son of the legendary Brian Clough, is being hotly tipped in some quarters.

One of the younger breed of managers, Clough Jnr has done a great job since taking over as Burton Albion's player manager.

He guided the Midlands side out of the Dr Martens League into the Nationwide Conference this season where they also enjoyed a good run in the FA Cup before being knocked out in a third round replay by Second Division Oldham.

Another highly fancied candidate has to be GARRY HILL who has worked wonders with Conference club Dagenham and Redbridge in recent seasons.

Hill took the Daggers to the very brink of promotion to the Football League last season and in the last three years has guided the east Londoners into the FA Cup third round twice.

Former U's boss STEVE WIGNALL is another who could be ready to throw his hat back in the ring.

Two promotion play-offs capped by two trips to Wembley enabled Wignall, a former U's central defender, to end his four-year spell at the helm with one of the best-ever managerial records.

FA Trophy and Conference double winning boss ROY MCDONOUGH has already indicated he is up for a comeback.

Caretaker manager GERAINT WILLIAMS has hinted he is definitely interested, but U's youth team boss MICKY COOK has said he will not be applying.

Published Thursday, January 30, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette