Steve Bruce is the new favourite with the bookies to be the next permanent Gillingham manager.

Bruce has often been linked with the Gills, having started his professional career at the club, but few have believed he would ever be interested in taking such a job having spent the majority of his footballing life at the top-end of the game.

What might change the landscape now is a chairman in Brad Galinson with the money to back a promotion push, giving the club a real chance of success. Bruce might also fancy one last job with a club close to his heart, having hinted at retirement not so long ago.

Mr Galinson has said there is no rush for a new appointment as they consider applications from around the world.

Bruce was the 3/1 favourite at Betvictor on Thursday morning, ahead of another Gills old-boy Scott Lindsey, who is currently manager of Crawley Town. Early front-runner Karl Robinson is still being backed, meanwhile.

Former Manchester United defender Bruce has had plenty of managerial experience since his playing days but at 62 and with plenty of clout in the game, he might not fit the bill at the Gills with their current set-up, one that sees Kenny Jackett as director of football and Andy Hessenthaler heading up the recruitment.

Jackett and Hessenthaler may prefer a younger head coach that they can help guide, but as Mr Galinson made clear on Wednesday, with a message to fans, it will be his final decision who gets the job.

Bruce’s last appointment came at West Brom but was sacked after a poor start to the season in the Championship and he hasn’t managed since.

Prior to that he had been in charge of Newcastle United and on leaving his past two jobs he suggested they might be his last in management. He’s previously managed Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Wigan (twice), Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Sunderland, Hull, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday.

Managerial honours came with promotions at Birmingham and Hull.

As a player, Bruce began his career at Priestfield, earning a move after a successful trial that had seen his fellow Wallsend Boys Club team-mate Peter Beardsley turned down. It was Gillingham where Bruce was transformed from a midfielder to play central defence.

He went onto make over 200 appearances for the club between 1979 and 1984 before moving to Norwich City and then Manchester United, a club he captained and enjoyed phenomenal success.

While the Gills consider who to appoint, Keith Millen remains in charge on an interim basis and he believes the foundations are in place for success at the club, for whoever takes over.

Gillingham sit third in League 2 and head to Walsall this Saturday.