Former Wanderers defender Dean Holden is the bookies’ favourite for the vacant Rotherham United job.

The Millers find themselves without a manager after Paul Warne left to return to League One with Derby County.

Holden recently departed Stoke City, where he served as Michael O’Neill’s assistant boss for around 16 months.

The 43-year-old oversaw a 1-0 win against Blackburn Rovers during a brief stint as caretaker boss following O’Neill’s sacking.

Holden began his playing career at Wanderers and was given his professional debut by Sam Allardyce in November 1999.

The defender went on to make 21 appearances for the Whites before heading to Oldham, initially on a loan deal before making the move permanent the following summer.

He also had spells with Peterborough, Shrewsbury and Walsall among others before hanging up his boots.

Holden’s last permanent managerial role was at Bristol City after stepping up from assistant boss to Lee Johnson.

The former Bolton man is priced at 2/1 for the Rotherham job, while Grimsby boss Paul Hurst (11/4) and Wycombe chief Gareth Ainsworth (3/1) also rank highly.

The likes of Mark Bonner, Matt Taylor, Duncan Ferguson and Neil Warnock are also included on the list.

Rotherham are currently eighth in the Championship table – just a point outside the top six despite having played a game fewer than some of the sides around them.

The Millers were held to a goalless draw against Middlesbrough in their last outing as they aim to build on last season’s promotion from the third tier.

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