Bookies earlier today made Pompey’s Paul Cook the surprise favourite to become the new manager of Chesterfield – although this has now been ruled out by the Spireites.

This seemed unlikely even before Chesterfield Company Secretary and Director Ashley Carson tweeted:

@ChesterfieldFC #rumourmill PC is currently in employment. We have not approached his employer to speak to him and won’t be doing. ⚽⚽

Ahead of the confirmation from Ashley Carson, Chesterfield FC blog site ‪Spireite Gazette said:

“The Spireites would be delighted with the return of Paul Cook. He still remains a very popular figure with the majority of Chesterfield fans.

“However it seems a very unlikely move with our uncertain financial situation at the moment. Our budget it set to be slashed rather than increased which was a major factor in Paul Cook leaving the Spireites originally.

Much as a move for Paul Cook would be extremely popular we think the chances of it are very unlikely.”

Pompey are currently 4th in Sky Bet League Two, 4 points from the last of the automatic promotion places with 21 matches to play and an interesting January transfer window ahead.

[Photo: Official PFC]