Following Tony Humes’ departure as Colchester United manager yesterday, Carl Marston looks at the leading candidates to replace him.

John McGreal

Ex-Tranmere, Ipswich Town and Burnley defender McGreal, the head of youth development, will be in joint charge this weekend. The 43-year-old is a strong contender, with chairman Robbie Cowling admitting: “I can’t see myself going outside the club.”

Richard Hall

Humes’ assistant for the last 15 months, Hall will be in joint charge with McGreal at Burton. The 43-year-old, a youth teamer at Ipswich before operating as a centre-half for Scunthorpe, Southampton and West Ham, has been a member of the U’s backroom staff since 2009.

Kem Izzet

Midfielder Izzet made 422 league appearances for the U’s, between 2001 and 2013. The 35-year-old is currently at Ryman Premier side Needham Market, but told the East Anglian Daily Times last night that he would relish the opportunity to manage his beloved U’s.

Wayne Brown

Although he too has an Ipswich Town background, former centre-half Brown is best known for leading the U’s to promotion to the Championship, back in 2005-06. Brown, 38, has been a key member of the Academy and will be assisting both Hall and McGreal this weekend.

Karl Duguid

‘Legend’ is an over-used word, but Duguid truly is a U’s legend. Now aged 37, Duguid rattled up an amazing 415 league games for the U’s, having graduated from the youth team in the mid-1990s. He would love a chance to manage, alongside Izzet.