Runners and riders for the York City job

The Minstermen are marooned in 21st in League Two, and need to make a successful appointment to replace Wilcox if they want to avoid relegation.

The club have already been linked with a series of managers. Here we run through the top contenders:

Richard Cresswell

The former Leeds United striker has been put in interim charge of the Minstermen after the sacking of Russ Wilcox.

Cresswell had an illustrious career in the lower leagues, playing for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, Stoke City and Sheffield United before retiring at the end of the 2013.

He began his career at York, and after retirement, moved behind the scenes at Bootham Crescent. Cresswell was appointed first team coach in March of this year, and is now set to have his first, if temporary, spell in charge.

Should Cresswell impress, it would not be beyond the realms of reason to see him appointed on a full-time basis. Currently the 4/1 favourite with Sky Bet.

Danny Wilson

Wilson’s managerial career seems to speak for itself, including a famous promotion to the Premier League with Barnsley.

He has also shown his ability to succeed in the fourth tier, taking Hartlepool United to League One in 2006/7.

However, Wilson has struggled to replicate those achievements in recent seasons, floundering at Swindon Town, Sheffield United and Barnsley.

An experienced head that York could turn to, but there are questions over whether he’d be a worthwhile choice capable of bringing any sort of success, or just a safe one.

Greg Abbott

Only just appointed as assistant manager to Neil Redfearn at Rotherham Town, Abbott is a surprise candidate for the role.

His only experience as manager in the Football League came at Carlisle United between 2008 and 2013. Abbott’s win rate at the northern club was relatively impressive, with

victories in 34.48 per cent of his games.

Since then, he’s been Shaun Derry’s assistant at Notts County, with the duo being sacked in March of this year.

Abbott showed his ability in a higher division during his time at Carlisle, who stayed in League One during his tenure. He could be a worthwhile, if slightly surprising appointment.

Lee Clark

Lee Clark’s greatest achievement as a manager is still his record breaking unbeaten run during his time as Huddersfield Town manager, with the side not losing in 43 regular-season Football League games.

Clark did struggle on the big occasions while in charge at the West Yorkshire club, losing in a play-off semi-final against Millwall in 2009/10, before crashing to a 3-0 defeat against Peterborough United in the final the next year. It was only after his sacking that Town were promoted in 2011/12.

He struggled in charge of Birmingham City and Blackpool, but both clubs underwent a significant amount of turmoil behind the scenes while he was in charge.

Graham Alexander

Alexander would probably represent the most appropriate appointment for a club like York City to make.

In his time in charge of Fleetwood Town, he led The Cod Army to promotion from the fourth tier, taking them up to League One in 2014.

This shows his ability to achieve in League Two, and compared to the only other manager who has won promotions on this list, his success came recently.

However, it is worth noting that Alexander struggled once he won promotion. Given York are currently 21st in League Two, that is not an issue as of yet. It is more important that Alexander can get results in the bottom tier of the Football League, something he has already shown he can do.