5 managers in the frame to succeed Steve McClaren at Newcastle

The club held board-level talks on his future in York yesterday, and McClaren's days at St James's Park look to be numbered.

A clutch of out-of-work managers have been linked with the job in recent days.

Here, we list the bookmakers' favourites to be the next head coach at United:

DAVID MOYES (6/4)

David Moyes has failed in his last two jobs – he was sacked at Manchester United and Real Sociedad – but the 52-year-old's stock remains high in the game. Moyes has been the bookmakers' favourite to succeed McClaren over the past few days. Celtic, however, are also said considering Moyes as a potential successor to Ronny Deila.

NIGEL PEARSON (4/1)

Once assistant to Glenn Roeder at Newcastle, Pearson is best known as a manager for taking Leicester City into the Premier League and calling a journalist an "ostrich". The 52-year-old was, sacked after keeping them in the division last season, has been credited with putting solid foundations in place for successor Claudio Ranieri.

RAFA BENITEZ (6/1)

Rafa Benitez, sacked by Real Madrid in Janauary, is a strong contender for the job. Based in Merseyside, Benitez is keen to manage again in the Premier League, having previously worked at Liverpool and Chelsea. Known for his preference for zonal marking and squad rotation, Benitez, is an astute tactician who knows the league inside out.

BRENDAN RODGERS (12/1)

Brendan Rodgers almost guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2013-14 – an unfortunate slip from Steven Gerrard put paid to that – but his tenure unravelled after the sale of Luis Suarez and he was sacked late last year. Rodgers would be seen by some as a progressive, long-term appointment at Newcastle, though he has his critics.

HARRY REDKNAPP (14/1)

Could Harry Redknapp be a quick-fix? Redknapp resigned from his post at Queens Park Rangers just over a year ago to undergo knee surgery. The 69-year-old could be tempted by a short-term appointment at United, a club he once turned down. But has owner Mike Ashley forgiven him for rejecting his approach all those years ago?