JAMES BEATTIE, Russell Wilcox and Micky Adams are all believed to be frontrunners as York City seek a managerial replacement for Nigel Worthington.

Surprise candidates Nobby Solano and Csaba Laszlo - the former manager of Hearts and Belgian club Charleroi - have also declared an interest in the position via sources of The Press.

City officials met with two potential candidates yesterday, following the announcement Worthington had resigned in the wake of Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Newport.

The Press understands ex-England international Beattie, who parted company with City’s Sky Bet League Two rivals Accrington Stanley last month, was one of those interviewed but the club also plan to speak to other possible contenders today. Communications director Sophie Hicks refused to reveal the identity of anybody under consideration but added: “We spoke to two candidates yesterday and we plan to talk to some other individuals today.

“Our priority is to make sure we get the right person for York City Football Club and, ideally, we would like a manager in place before the weekend.”

Wilcox was the bookmakers’ favourite last night, having been relieved of his duties at Scunthorpe on Wednesday despite a record-breaking, unbeaten start to his managerial reign at Glanford Park of 28 games.

That saw the club win promotion from League Two last season.

Sheffield-born Adams also helped to get Port Vale out of City’s division in 2012/13 and has masterminded further promotions at the same level with Fulham and Brighton but is now out of work having resigned from the Valiants.

Hungarian coach Laszlo won the Scottish Premier League Coach of the Year and Scottish Football Writers’ Coach of the Year awards in 2008/09 after helping Hearts qualify for the Europa League.

He was also the Hungarian national team’s assistant manager under German legend Lothar Matthaus and has had stints in charge of Uganda and Lithuania.

Ex-Newcastle winger Solano’s only previous coaching experience in this country came in 2012 when he worked part-time at Northern League outfit Newcastle Benfield.

He did, however, lift Peruvian Primera Division club Universitario de Deportes from a relegation place to a position in the top half of the table.

Departing City boss Worthington was unavailable for comment, but preferred to express his thoughts in a prepared statement.

It read: “After Saturday’s result and, in the best interests of York City, I have made the difficult decision to leave the club with immediate effect.

“I feel the timing of my departure will give the players ample number of games to gain the points needed to ensure York City finish in a good position in League Two by the end of the season. In recent weeks, performances have not been up to my high standards and I take full responsibility as manager.

“I would like to thank the board and the McGill family for their tremendous support. We have had a great working relationship.

“The supporters and the players should be very grateful to them for their loyalty, commitment and hard work in trying to take this club forward. I have enjoyed a wonderful time at York City over the past 18 months.

“The fans have been fantastic throughout and I have appreciated all their support. The experience would not have been the same without the friendship of all the staff at the club.

“In particular, I would like to thank my assistant Steve Torpey for his loyalty and dedication to me and York City. It has been an absolute pleasure and honour to have been manager of York City and I very much wish the club every success for the future.”

A board statement, released by the club simultaneously, said: “It is with great sadness that Nigel Worthington has decided to leave. We could not have asked for a more professional and hard working manager.

“We will always be grateful to him for the huge contribution he made in maintaining our Football League status.

“We thank Nigel for all he has achieved in making York City a better club and the legacy he leaves. He has been a gentleman throughout.”