STEVE Cotterill, Chris Powell and Nigel Adkins are now the front runners in the race to become the next manager of Bolton Wanderers.

The three men were interviewed by Ken Anderson on Monday in what the co-owner described as a “high-class” field of 94 applicants.

Another manager, who is currently employed, was forced to cancel his meeting earlier this week but it is hoped he will reschedule.

It has emerged Peter Reid – who has long-since been among the favourites to take the Macron hot-seat – is not favoured by Anderson, who told The Bolton News he wished to move in a “different direction.”

An appointment will not be rushed, as two more candidates who are among the six to have contacted Anderson since the weekend, are being seriously considered.

It remains to be seen whether one of those men is Leeds United boss Steve Evans, who is highly rated by the Wanderers ownership.

“We have four men on the final shortlist, and I spoke to three of them yesterday,” Anderson told The Bolton News. “All the candidates I spoke to have been successful at League One and Championship level and have promotions under their belt.

“Most importantly they also have a good knowledge of the players they will be inheriting and those they need to succeed at this level.

“They know what is required when you play Saturday-midweek and don’t have any international breaks.”

Anderson spoke of the club’s desire to appoint a “hungry” manager but insisted the decision would be backed by both himself and co-owner Dean Holdsworth.

“We have kept in regular contact and are in agreement about the managerial shortlist,” he said. “Obviously, we have differences of opinion, as any two people would do, but we feel we have agreed on a very good standard of applicant.

“We have spoken to some managers who perhaps did not do as well as they’d hope in their previous job but we have to take into consideration everything they have done.

“You have to ask yourself whether they had the tools to succeed in that last position or not?

“I spoke to one of the staff yesterday about one of the names and he sounded disappointed – but then would we say no to Jose Mourinho if he wanted the job?”