BOLTON Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside will today start his search for Owen Coyle's successor after he paid the price for the club's poor start to the npower Championship season.

Here, we look at some of the candidates likely to be linked with the Reebok Stadium hot-seat.

MICK McCARTHY The popular Yorkshireman, the current favourite for the job, has been linked with a number of vacancies - including Lancashire neighbours Blackburn - since he was sacked as Wolves boss last season. The former Republic of Ireland manager has enjoyed success in the npower Championship in the past, winning promotion with Sunderland in 2004/05.

ALEX McLEISH McLeish has been out of work since the summer when he was relieved of his duties at Aston Villa after narrowly avoiding relegation. The Scot had a sour relationship with the Villa fans during his only season in charge after leaving bitter rivals Birmingham. However, McLeish knows what it takes to win promotion to the Barclays Premier League, leading Blues to the top flight during the 2008/09 season.

JIMMY PHILLIPS/SAMMY LEE Academy manager Phillips and head of Academy coaching and development Lee will take temporary charge of the first-team squad, starting with the home clash against Bristol City on Saturday week. However, Lee's previous brief spell in charge may stand in his way of securing the job for a second time after he was axed having won just one of 11 matches.

ALAN CURBISHLEY Curbishley, currently working as a TV pundit, has failed to land a job since resigning as West Ham boss in 2008. He performed admirably at Charlton, though, winning two promotions and consolidating the Addicks as a Premier League outfit.

HARRY REDKNAPP Redknapp, the leading contender for the England job before Roy Hodgson's appointment, has been at the forefront of speculation for various vacancies since leaving Tottenham in the summer. The 65-year-old, currently undertaking an advisory role at npower League One Bournemouth, won promotion to the Premier League with Portsmouth in 2003.

PAOLO DI CANIO The outspoken Italian has enjoyed a fine start to his managerial career, leading Swindon to promotion to npower League One in his maiden season. He has also claimed a number of scalps in cup competitions and could well be an option for Gartside.

KEITH HILL Hill, who was born and currently lives in Bolton, has worked wonders at Rochdale and now Barnsley on shoe-string budgets. Although he would undoubtedly be seen as an outside contender, Hill was recently linked with the vacant position at neighbours Blackburn and could well be on Wanderers' radar.