Caretaker duo are the joint favourites for Macc hot seat
MACCLESFIELD Town are continuing their search with a new manager, with joint caretaker managers Neil Howarth and Danny Whitaker the current joint bookmakers’ favourites to get the job.
The Silkmen parted company with boss Mark Yates last week after a poor start to the league campaign, with Howarth and Whitaker taking temporary charge of the side having been joint assistant managers under Yates.
One of the duo are now tipped to get the role on a permanent basis, with the bookmakers having a ‘Whitaker or Howarth’ market as the odds on favourite.
Some of the others that have been linked with the job are Jay Saunders and Michael Brown, while John Askey is also in contention with the bookmakers.
Askey left Macclesfield in the summer in order to take over at League One side Shrewsbury Town, who are currently in 17th place in the League One table after winning just two of their 13 games so far this season.
Before a permanent successor is named, Howarth and Whitaker have to focus on preparing the side, with their next game coming on Saturday when they host Carlisle United at the Moss Rose.
One player that could start in that game is Ben Stephens after he finally returned from injury in the 1-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers on Friday and Howarth has praised the midfielder for his efforts.
“He’s a talented player. He’s got a lot of work to do, he’s had a couple of injuries and I think he’s found adapting to full time football a little difficult but he’s there now,” he said.
“He’s back fit and he’s had a good couple of weeks. It was a big ask for a young kid to come on and try to get the equalising goal, but he’s doing the right things in training - as have the rest of the lads as well.”
This weekend’s opponents Carlisle are in 11th place in the table, but have lost three out of their last four matches.
Their last game saw them lose 2-0 at home to Morecambe, with Ajay Leitch-Smith and Vadaine Oliver getting the goals.