WANDERERS begin the hunt for a new manager today – with academy boss Jimmy Phillips installed as the early bookies’ favourite.

Dougie Freedman parted company with the club yesterday morning after two years in charge, leaving a giant question mark against who would be taking charge of this afternoon’s game against Bournemouth on a temporary basis.

Development squad coach Jamie Fullarton and Under-18s assistant Andy Hughes had been due to lead the team late last night but there were reservations over how their appointment would be viewed by supporters, considering their links with the former manager.

Fan protests that had previously been aimed at Freedman and chairman Phil Gartside were still on course last night, despite the manager’s departure.

But the majority of calls yesterday were for Wanderers to look towards a familiar face to lead the club out of their current mire.

Phillips, who was installed as caretaker boss the last time the Whites had a vacancy, would be a popular choice with fans, while another former Bolton favourite Phil Brown, currently in charge at Southend United, would also get the local vote.

Further afield, a source close to ex-Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has said he would be interested in taking on the job, while former Leeds United and Reading chief Brian McDermott and Tony Mowbray, whose last job was at Middlesbrough, were also in the frame last night.

Ex-Wanderers striker John McGinlay believes the next man in charge needs to respect the individual needs of the club.

“I don’t want to pigeon-hole people but of the names that have been mentioned so far, you’d have to say that Jimmy Phillips and Phil Brown would be the two that stand out,” he told The Bolton News.

“I’d also love to see Bruce Rioch included in some capacity.

“The relationship between the club and the supporters has been damaged and I think the only way to repair that is to bring in someone who knows the town, knows the club and knows the fans.”

Phillips was also the name on the lips of two former Wanderers players of different eras, Fabrice Muamba and Andy Walker.

“Someone like Jimmy knows the club’s history, knows how the club has operated in the good times and the bad times, and in my view he would be the logical choice,” Muamba said.

“It is not an easy job,” added Walker, “but to have someone who knows the territory would be a terrific advantage.

“I think he has honed his craft at Bolton and is ready for the step up.”

Whoever takes the hot-seat would have to operate under the same serious financial constraints as Freedman, who was forced to find signings in the loan market throughout his two-year tenure.

That could give a window of opportunity to two local lads – David Flitcroft who has been doing an excellent job at Bury – and Rochdale’s Keith Hill.

Other out-of-work managers such as Billy Davies, who has a long association with ex-Wanderer Julian Darby, and Dave Jones, could also come into the equation.