Crawley Town Next Manager Odds: Rob Elliot Favourite To Replace Scott Lindsey

After Scott Lindsey left for Milton Keynes Dons last week, UK betting sites have opened a market on the next Crawley Town manager.

Lindsey guided Crawley to promotion from League Two via the play-offs last season. 

The Red Devils finished seventh, just a point clear of the chasing pack, before victories over MK Dons and Crewe Alexandra earned them a spot in the the third tier of English football.

Crawley have had a mixed start to the current campaign. They got out of the blocks quickly, winning their first two games against Blackpool and Cambridge United, but Lindsey’s team then took just one point from the last 12 available and were beaten 2-0 by Bolton at the weekend.

Still, the Crawley job will be attractive to many managers looking for a new opportunity. Who will replace Lindsey in the dugout? Let’s take a look at the latest odds offered by football betting sites.

Rob Elliot Odds-On Favourite For Role

Rob Elliot has emerged as the 1/2 favourite for the Crawley job with betting apps. 

The former Newcastle United goalkeeper is currently at the helm of non-league outfit Gateshead, a club he has led for almost a year. 

Elliot won the FA Trophy last term and, after finishing sixth, his team would have qualified for the National League play-offs had their ground met the EFL requirements.

Gateshead are going well in the fifth division this term too, hence Elliot being the leading contender for the vacant position at Broadfield Stadium. 

However, his lack of experience at this level could turn off the decision-makers at Crawley.

Ben Gladwin In Running At Crawley

Ben Gladwin has been handed the reins on an interim basis following Lindsey’s decision to drop back down to League Two. 

The former midfielder played for Crawley last season before hanging up his boots in the summer, upon which he was appointed as the club’s first-team coach. 

He will be the man calling the shots on the touchline when Crawley host Mansfield Town on Tuesday night.

Gladwin is only 32 years old and it would be a risk to hand him the full-time job. On the flip side, he knows the squad well and is thought to be popular with the players. 

If he can oversee a few good results in the coming weeks, Gladwin’s odds will fall.

Nathan Rooney Could Be A Contender

Nathan Rooney is joint-third on the list at 12/1. 

The Blackburn-born head coach has had an interesting journey so far: after managing non-league side Colne, he moved to Gibraltar and is now in his second spell in charge of FCB Magpies in the British overseas territory.

Rooney never played professionally but he does have experience of Crawley having once been an assistant at Broadfield Stadium. 

However, it would also be a gamble to appoint the 35-year-old given he is only in charge of a semi-professional team right now. 

The rigours of League One would represent a significant step up for Rooney.

Brian Barry-Murphy Waiting For Next Job

Brian Barry-Murphy (12/1) left his position as the manager of Manchester City’s elite development squad earlier this year because he wanted to test himself with a first team. 

The Irishman has an excellent reputation with coaching circles and he has been linked with numerous jobs in the EFL over the last couple of months.

The 46-year-old previously managed Rochdale, so this would not be his first taste of EFL management. 

That could work in his favour, but Barry-Murphy does not appear to be in a rush to take a job. 

Even if he is approached by Crawley, it does not necessarily mean he will accept the chance to replace Lindsey.

Adam Hinshelwood Among The Dark Horses

At 14/1 with new betting sites, Adam Hinshelwood is among the dark horses for the Crawley job. 

He is best known for a seven-year spell at the helm of Worthing, where he won the Isthmian Premier Division title and the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup.

That earned him a role at York City in the National League and he is doing a fine job there: at the time of writing Hinshelwood’s side are second in the standings, behind leaders Barnet on goals scored alone. 

The 40-year-old, who played for Brighton & Hove Albion during his career, no doubt has admirers higher up the food chain in the EFL.