NEIL Redfearn is the bookmakers' favourite to become the new manager of York City.

The former Leeds United manager has been out of work since his sacking by Rotherham United eight months ago.

Bookmakers Bet Victor installed the 51-year-old as the 5-2 favourite to replace Jackie McNamara who announced his intention to step down earlier this week.

On Wednesday afternoon, former Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray and former York manager Gary Mills were the joint second favourites.

However, those odds changed overnight with growing support for Darren Williams, Mark Yates, and Andy Bishop.

Mills and Mowbray had drifted out to 12-1 from 8-1.

Other contenders emerging, according to Bet Victor, include Neil Aspin and Jon McCarthy.

Redfearn spent 10 months as York's assistant-manager eight years ago and was briefly in charge as caretaker-manager following the departure of Colin Walker in November 2008.

He arrived at Bootham Crescent after spells in management with Halifax Town, Scarborough and Northwich Victoria but quit to join Leeds as an academy coach.

Redfearn was appointed caretaker-manager at Elland Road three times before being given the role of 'head coach' by chairman Massimo Cellino in November 2014.

He was replaced after only six months at the helm - one of the many short-lived coaching appointments during Cellino's turbulent reign.

Redfearn, meanwhile, lasted just four months at Rotherham and was sacked in February with the club sitting bottom of the Championship table.

York owner Jason McGill is seeking a manager who can revive his club's bid to return to the Football League.

Under McNamara, they were relegated from League Two and now sit just three points above the relegation zone in the National League.

Bizarrely, McNamara is still working at the club, helping the Minstermen prepare for Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against Curzon Ashton.

However, he has made it clear that there will be no U-turn on his decision to step down.