GILLINGHAM'S search for a new manager has now begun, with a number of names already being linked with the job.

Who do you think is the right man to take over from Andy Hessenthaler? KM-fm Sports Editor Simon Watts analyses some of the candidates. Have your say and join our online poll.

POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

John Gorman: Assistant to Andy Hessenthaler since October, the former England number two has a close bond with the club's players. He has experience as a manager and assistant at nearly every level the game has to offer, but having joined the club through Hessenthaler, he will have a hard moral dilemma over whether to take the job from his predecessor. Saturday's game at home to Nottingham Forest will go a long way to deciding his fate.

Micky Adams: A former Gillingham player who has since gone on to win promotion to the Premiership with Leicester City in 2002 as a manager. Less than two years ago Adams was considered one of the best young managers in the country. He is currently out of work but may be tempted to hold out for a management position at another Championship or even Premiership club.

Gary Megson: Recently departed West Bromwich Albion after a series of internal issues, but there is no doubting his managerial credentials. Achieved two promotions in three seasons with WBA, but his success may come at a price. Like Micky Adams, Megson may feel he is better off waiting for a job at a more established, promotion-chasing Championship side.

Dave Jones: Sacked by WBA's nearby rivals Wolves after a poor start to the season. Jones led then Division Two Stockport County to promotion and a League Cup semi-final in 1998. He built a successful Southampton team around several of his former players, including Chris Marsden and Paul Jones, and guided Wolves to promotion to the Premiership in 2003.

Andy Ford: A surprise candidate, but some fans have been calling for the former Gills player. Ford has worked miracles lifting Gravesend and Northfleet to the top half of the Conference table with a semi-professional team. Though he may not have managerial experience at Championship level he is used to working on a shoe-string budget and has the hunger to succeed at whatever level he works.

Stuart Murdoch: Recently stepped down after a turbulent three and a half years in charge at Wimbledon (sorry, MK Dons). Worked under tight financial constraints yet still managed to keep the side in the Championship for two seasons before eventually suffering relegation having been forced to sell the majority of the club's better players.

Danny Wilson: Out of work for seven months since leaving Bristol City, Wilson will be fondly remembered for guiding Barnsley to the Premiership in true 'Roy of the Rovers' circumstances. Took Bristol City to three sucessive League One play-offs, but paid the price in the summer for falling at the final hurdle on each occasion. Has been linked with a number of vacancies in recent weeks, including Wolves, Oxford United, Wycombe and Shrewsbury.

Remember to keep up to date with the latest verdicts on the online polls and round-ups of county and national sports news by tuning into KM-fm's sports bulletins at 6.30am, 7.30am, 8.30am, 9.30am, 1pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 6pm every day of the week.

*KM-fm's Jamie Stephens has been speaking to Sports Editor Simon Watts about the latest developments and his personal views on who might take the Priestfield hotseat...