WANDERERS’ first team coach Sam Hird has been strongly linked with the vacant manager’s job at National League York City.

The 35-year-old former Chesterfield and Leeds United defender has been installed as the odds-on bookmakers’ favourite to replace John Askey, who left the club on November 16.

Hird is no stranger to seeing his name mentioned elsewhere – and has also been heavily linked with vacancies at two of his other former clubs, Doncaster Rovers and Barrow, in the last 12 months.

He was brought into Ian Evatt’s coaching staff in May 2021 and has been a key figure behind the scenes for Wanderers, working alongside the manager and his assistant Peter Atherton.

Chesterfield assistant boss Daniel Webb and former Salford City boss Graham Alexander have also been linked with the job at York, who say a decision should be made on Askey’s successor within the next week.

In a statement given to BBC Radio York, the club said: "In the past two weeks, the club have received applications from over 60 candidates who offer a diverse range of skills and experience within the game.

"From the outset, the club have adopted a robust process to access all applications.

"This has included the review of all CVs and candidate presentations, in-depth desk research, statistical analysis, taking up of references and formal interviews.

"Every candidate has been assessed and rated against an extensive set of key criteria.

"We have been impressed by the high calibre of the candidates and would like to thank each of them for showing a keen interest in working with the football club.

"We are now in the final stages of the process and expect to make an announcement in the coming week."