By Mark Atkinson

Copyright scotsman

Former Rangers manager Michael Beale has emerged as the early favourite to take over as boss of Wycombe Wanderers. The Chairboys are searching for a new manager after sacking Mike Dodds just eight games into the EFL League One campaign. Wycombe have won a solitary match in the league after making the play-offs last term and sit 19th, two places above the relegation zone, forcing their board to act. And early indications suggest that Beale, who managed Rangers between November 2022 and October 2023, is one of the frontrunners for the vacancy at Adams Park. The 45-year-old, who has also managed at QPR and Sunderland in his career, has not been in the dugout since February 2024 after being sacked by Sunderland. However, he is the early 100/30 favourite to replace Dodds. Another manager quoted by the oddsmen is current Dunfermline Athletic boss Neil Lennon. The 54-year-old Northern Irishman joined the Pars early this year and have started the current Championship campaign well under his stewardship, beating Arbroath 5-0 last weekend. Lennon – who has twice managed Celtic and also Hibs – is rated at 15/2 to make the move back to the EFL after a stint in charge of Bolton Wanderers between 2014 and 2016. He is not the only former Celtic boss in the frame, with Paul Lambert quoted at 10/1 to take over at Wycombe, while Tony Mowbray is 20/1 and Martin O’Neill is 25/1. In a brief 58-word statement on their website, Wycombe confirmed the departure of Dodds and other coaching staff. It read: “Wycombe Wanderers have today parted company with Head Coach Mike Dodds and First-Team Coach Pete Shuttleworth. “The board has reluctantly taken this decision, and the club would like to place on record its gratitude to Mike and Pete for their hard work and efforts during their time with Wycombe Wanderers, and wish them every success for the future.”