Who are the suitors being sounded out to take over from Gary Hamilton at Glenavon?

Gary Hamilton has departed Glenavon after 12 years

David Jeffrey

Carrick Rangers manager Stuart King

Dean Smith is currently manager at Loughgall

Dean Shiels during his time at Stangmore Park

Former Northern Ireland Women's boss Kenny Shiels

Annagh United manager Ciaran McGurgan

Former Warrenpoint Town boss Stephen McDonnell

Former Cliftonville manager Paddy McLaughlin

Glenavon are on the lookout for a new manager for the first time in 12 years after parting company with Gary Hamilton on Wednesday evening.

As exclusively revealed by Belfast Telegraph Sport on Monday, a disappointing start to the season which has seen the Lurgan Blues win just one of their opening eight games has forced the Mourneview Park board to act.

But who could they turn to next to lead the team back to winning ways in the Sports Direct Premiership? Here’s who could be in the frame…

David Jeffrey

David Jeffrey

A titan of the local game, Jeffrey would undoubtedly be one of the names at the top of Glenavon’s wishlist to take over given his stature and the success he had with Linfield, while he also has experience of getting the most out of a team that don’t have the same financial clout as the likes of Larne and Glentoran during his time at Ballymena United.

However, the now Belfast Telegraph Sport columnist is understood not to be interested in a return to the game at this time, so it would likely require a significant change of heart for him to be the next man in the dug-out.

Carrick Rangers manager Stuart King

Stuart King

Would King be tempted away from his role with Carrick Rangers to take over at Glenavon? It seems unlikely given that he is about to receive some significant investment to his transfer fund thanks to Michael Smith’s recent