FORMER Bradford City boss Phil Parkinson heads the early favourites for the vacant managerial role at Valley Parade, according to bookmakers Sky Bet.

The current Bolton manager, who was sent to the stands during his side's match at Leeds at the weekend, was installed at 5/2 on Monday lunchtime following the shock resignation of David Hopkin.

Parkinson is fondly remembered for his time at City which delivered two Wembley visits in the same season when City were promoted from League Two and reached the League Cup final.

He left to join Bolton in 2016 and helped Wanderers earn promotion to the Championship in his first season before keeping them up last year.

Bolton have been beset by financial difficulties and face a winding up order next month. But Ken Anderson announced at the weekend that he is poised to sell the club to new owners.

Read more: How Bantams fans have reacted to Hopkin's resignation

Current City coach Martin Drury is to step up and take temporary charge of City for their tough tie at Portsmouth this weekend.

The 32-year-old is listed at odds of 6/1 by Sky Bet to become permanent boss.

Some fans on social media have called for the experience and know-how of Steve Evans (8/1), who is currently out of a job after being sacked by Peterborough in January,

Paul Hurst, who was sacked by Championship strugglers Ipswich in October, sits just behind Evans at 9/1.

Just behind Hurst is Gary Bowyer at 10/1, whose last managerial role was at troubled Blackpool before resigning from the post in August last year.

Bowyer managed to guide the Tangerines to an immediate return from relegation to League Two with promotion via the play-offs in 2017 - experience which may end up coming in handy at the Bantams.

Gary Waddock and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink are rated at 14/1 with a host of names at 16/1.

The list includes: Danny Cowley, Graeme Jones, Ian Holloway, Kevin Nolan, Mark Warburton, Michael Appleton, Neil Redfearn, Owen Coyle, Robbie Fowler, Russell Slade and Steve Cotterill.