FORMER Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper has emerged as favourite to take over as manager of Gillingham Football Club.

Chairman Paul Scally will almost certainly reveal the identity of the new boss at a press conference on Saturday morning (May 21).

But there is widespread speculation that Cooper is the man likely to replace the outgoing Stan Ternent.

The Scot was interviewed for the post along with Graham Rix, Ray Lewington, former Aberdeen pair Steve Paterson and Duncan Shearer and Ternent’s No.2 Ronnie Jepson.

Lewington was thought to be favourite for the job at one stage but he said today that he understood Cooper would get the position.

He said: "I had a good interview with Paul Scally but I wanted to bring Nigel Gibbs in from Watford as my no 2 but Mr Scally had earmarked Jepson for the job."

Lewington is now expected to join the coaching staff at Fulham.

Mr Scally is looking for a manager with extensive knowledge of the lower divisions in a bid to make the most of the club’s resources. Cooper has plenty of League 1 experience, having guided Hartlepool into the play-off positions this campaign, only to leave the club by mutual consent just one week before the end of the season.

The Scot, who won the European Cup Winners’ Cup as a player at Aberdeen, was linked with the Dunfermline job but that went to Jim Leishman.