The full story: Ferguson leaves Posh.
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MARK COOPER (Kettering Town)
Odds: 5-4 favourite
Pros: Has caught the eye with FA Cup giant-killing exploits at both Tamworth and Kettering. Has led little Kettering to third in the Blue Square Premier and boasts an excellent 57 per cent win ratio while at the club.
Cons: Left previous club Tamworth when they were bottom of the Conference in 2007. No Football League management experience and facing a mammoth step up in class.

Summary: If the money is right (and it doesn't look like that was the case with early favourite Eddie Howe) Cooper could well be the man for Posh. Apparently already been interviewed, but would face a harsh introduction into league management.

ANDY SCOTT (Brentford)
Odds: 6-4 second favourite
Pros: Led cash-strapped Brentford to League Two title glory last season in his debut campaign at the helm. Only 37 and looks sure to be a successful boss.
Cons: Brentford not exactly set the world alight in League One this season. Again Scott has no experience of the level he would be working at if taking over at Posh.

Summary: An obvious candidate for a club who are set to stick to their policy of appointment a young manager.

CHRIS WILDER (Oxford)
Odds: 8-1
Pros: Has done superbly during 11 months at the Oxford helm. They currently sit top of the Blue Square Premier Division and are earning rave reviews for their performances this season.
Cons: Brief spell as assistant boss at Bury is only experience of management in the Football League. The quote: 'I'm happy where I am' suggests he's not keen to leave Oxford anyway.

Summary: Just the same as Cooper. Probably has plenty to offer, but a huge jump from Conference to Championship level and doesn?t appear to be that interested.

STEVE COTTERILL (unattached)
Odds: 14-1
Pros: Good track record in the Football League and a surprise he has spent two years out of work. Seen at London Road yesterday so obviously keen.
Cons: Had a reputation for playing route one football during his Cheltenham, Stoke and Burnley days. Clearly got results but not the fare that Posh fans are used to being served up.

Summary: Out of work, experienced at this level and good CV, but would his style suit Posh?

EDDIE HOWE (Bournemouth)
Odds: 16-1
Pros: Clearly the bright young managerial star of the English game. Only 31 but already a cult hero at Bournemouth and rightly so.
Cons: Inexperienced with less than 12 months as a boss behind him. Also appears to have turned down the chance to talk to Posh.

Summary: Candidate who perfectly fits the required stereotype of being young and successful. Done a stunning job at Bournemouth and appears to want to see it out.

PATRICK FENLON (Bohemians, Ire)
Odds: 16-1
Pros: Former Shelbourne and Derry City manager who has won the League of Ireland in both completed seasons at the Bohemians helm. Also manager of the Republic of Ireland Under 23 team so probably well versed in getting the best out of young players.
Cons: Who?

Summary: Darragh MacAnthony hinted during his media address on Wednesday that another surprise appointment was a possibility. Fenlon would certainly fit the bill on that front.

ALAN CURBISHLEY (unattached)
Odds: 20-1
Pros: Excellent record at Charlton during a mammoth 15-year spell in charge. Resigned at West Ham after best players were sold against his wishes. Clearly knows his stuff and has already been mentioned as ideal by prominent fans.
Cons: Long time since he was around this level of football and would surely be very expensive.

Summary: An appointment that would go down very well but could be out of Posh's league at this moment in time.

GARY McALLISTER (unattached)
Odds: 20-1
Pros: An excellent player who favours a pleasing on the eye, passing approach. Understood to be keen to get back into football.
Cons: Dismissed by Leeds United after disappointing form in League One. Also had an indifferent record at Coventry City until unfortunate personal circumstances forced him to resign.

Summary: A wonderful player but not necessarily a great manager. Would be an interesting appointment though.

STEVE COPPELL (unattached)
Odds: 25-1
Pros: Recognised as an excellent manager with stacks of experience and who plays good football. Took Reading to the Premier Division and kept them there for a couple of seasons.
Cons: His age, 54, counts against him with Posh though to be keen on a younger man. Couldn't get Reading out of this league last season either.
Summary: No Posh fan would presumably be disappointed with this appointment.

DAVID O'LEARY (unattached)
Odds: 25-1
Pros: Unlike many of the possibles he has done all his managing at a higher-level. Well-known in the game and should have strong contacts.
Cons: Been on the shelf for three years and his experience of taking a Leeds team to the Champions League semi-final probably isn?t of much use to Posh right now.

Summary: Linked with virtually every decent job that comes up so no surprise his name features here. Not thought to be a strong contender though.

And one not in the betting . . .
KENNY JACKETT (Millwall)
Pros: Took Swansea out of League Two and almost managed to follow Posh out of League One last season with Millwall. Apparently well-liked in the game.
Cons: Might not fit Posh?s preferred profile (he's 47 after all). Didn't do very well in his first spell in management at Watford although that was more than a decade ago.

Summary: A sound appointment that would probably go down well. Not a man likely to be overawed by the task of leading Posh to safety and beyond.