Considering the precarious predicament Dundee find themselves in at the wrong end of the Premiership table, the club are looking to appoint a new manager to replace Paul Hartley sooner rather than later.
Managing director John Nelms admitted on Monday that he wanted the new man in place within 48 hours.
He was tight-lipped over who was on his short-list of candidates to take over, although he did confirm that the preferred option would be British-based and he ruled out opting for one of his American countrymen.
While Nelms was keeping his cards close to his chest, that did not stop the bookies from speculating on who might be Hartley’s successor.
Here we take a look at who bookies believe are the top contenders to be the next permanent occupant of the Dens hotseat.
1 Brian McClair (15/8)
The former Manchester United and Scotland striker has emerged as a surprise favourite. The 53-year-old was the SFA national performance director for a year until July, 2016 but his lack of managerial experience means Dundee would be taking a huge gamble if they decided to opt for McClair.
2 Jim Duffy (10/3)
The 57-year-old played with distinction for the Dark Blues and has also managed the side in two separate spells. He has taken Morton into the Championship play-off spot this season on a tight budget but the Greenock club have already issued a hands-off warning in advance of any potential Dundee interest.
3 Alan Stubbs (7/1)
The former Everton and Celtic defender masterminded Hibs’ Scottish Cup success last season before heading back down south to manage Rotherham. However, he was sacked in October and would be available to take over at Dens immediately.
4 James McPake (7/1)
It is strange that the bookmaker has the Dundee club captain as fourth favourite as Nelms has already ruled the long-term injury victim out of the running.
5 Walter Smith (7/1)
The former Rangers and Scotland boss is now 69 and has been retired since 2011. It would be a shock of seismic proportions if he agreed to take over at Dundee.
6 Archie Knox (8/1)
Another vastly-experienced former boss who was a long-time assistant to Smith at Rangers. Knox also had a spell managing Dundee and helped in a scouting capacity at the club a couple of years ago but again, another long-shot.
Other front-runners
There are of course a long list of other names below the top six in the betting including the likes of Terry Butcher, Barry Smith and Ronny Deila.
Former Italy striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, who had a short spell at Dens, has also thrown his ring in the hat to become the new manager at the club however one dark horse who is not mentioned is former Falkirk, Coventry and Fleetwood Town boss Steven Pressley who is available at the moment.
