FOLLOWING the departure of Keith Curle, Oldham Athletic owner Abdallah Lemsagam is looking for his 10th head coach since he took over in January 2018.

Curle left the club by mutual consent after a drab defeat at his former club Northampton Town on Tuesday night which left the Latics precariously balanced above the relegation zone in League Two.

Selim Benachour has been put in interim charge – but who will Oldham turn to next in their effort to move away from the drop zone?

We run the rule over a few of the early names mentioned as Curle’s replacement.

SELIM BENACHOUR – Been in charge of Oldham’s Under-18s since September 2020 and now placed in interim charge after Keith Curle’s departure. As with any temporary appointment, a run of decent results will always give him a chance – and while the former Tunisia international is not currently a popular choice, who knows what the future holds?

PAUL TISDALE – Experienced former Exeter City boss who is currently an advisor at Colchester United. Had a bad spell at Bristol Rovers, which ended in February 2021, but generally well regarded in the lower leagues, with more than 700 games under his belt. Never managed in the North West, though.

CHRIS BEECH – Left Carlisle United after a poor run in October but had a reasonable record at Brunton Park and knows the locality, having worked at Rochdale with Keith Hill and within the Bury youth team structure several years ago.

JIM GANNON – Uncompromising ex-Stockport County and Port Vale boss, currently in charge at Hyde United. The type who could certainly bash some heads together in in the Latics dressing room in an effort to change results.

JOHN SHERIDAN – Oldham fans need no introduction to the former Republic of Ireland midfielder, currently out of work after leaving Swindon Town in April of this year. Including caretaker spells, he has been with the Latics on five different occasions – is a sixth beyond the realm of possibility?

JOHN MCGREAL – Liverpudlian who had success in his first manager’s job with Colchester United but who found himself out of work after a bust-up with his next club, Swindon. Knows the division well and has shown he can work on a low budget.

SAM RICKETTS – Cut his teeth in management at Wrexham and Shrewsbury Town but stepped away from the game after leaving the Montgomery Waters Stadium in November 2020 and says he is content to wait for a job which suits him, and is preferably close to his Cheshire base.

NICKY ADAMS – Appointed the Latics skipper by Harry Kewell, the 35-year-old has the total respect of the dressing room and is already well on with his coaching badges. Would be a popular appointment across the board.

WARREN JOYCE – Ex-Manchester United youth team coach who is now working within the Nottingham Forest youth set up. Managed at Hull City, Wigan and Melbourne, and still has strong links with the area.

PHIL BROWN – Left Southend United in October after a difficult return to the club in the National League but has a wealth of experience across the divisions, with his biggest successes coming at Hull City and Bolton Wanderers, where he served as a first team coach for Sam Allardyce.

MIKE FLYNN – Not in work after leaving Newport County at the end of last season but unquestionably a managerial talent. The former Bradford and Wigan defender is a very well-regarded coach but would he fancy the heat of a relegation scrap at Boundary Park?