AFC Wimbledon linked with historic move for Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes

AFC Wimbledon have been linked with an ambitious and groundbreaking move to make Chelsea Women's Emma Hayes their next manager.

League One side Wimbledon are on the lookout for a new head coach after Saturday's defeat to rivals MK Dons left them in the relegation zone, and spelled the end for manager Glyn Hodges, who was sacked after 14 months in charge.

Interim manager Mark Robinson is thought to have designs on the role, but a wide-ranging list of names has already been mentioned in connection with the job.

Among the favourites are Ian Holloway, ex-Cardiff manager Neil Harris and surprisingly Alan Pardew - which seems unlikely considering he has just taken on a behind-the-scenes role with CSKA Sofia.

The Express, though, say that they have begun to consider a move for Hayes that would make her the first woman to take over a men's team in EFL history.

Current Scotland manager Shelley Kerr begun her rise to prominence in charge of Stirling University in the fifth tier in Scotland, but were it to come off, Hayes would become by far the most high-profile woman to step into management within the men's game.

There are of course questions over whether Hayes would take the job in the first place. She is currently in charge of the WSL leaders, having won the league on three occasions since 2015, and remains one of the most respected coaches in women's football.

Her job is one of the most comfortable in football and she may not fancy swapping regular silverware for a League One relegation scrap, especially with the obvious risks that come with stepping into uncharted territory.

It's not specified where Hayes ranks in Wimbledon's order of preference, only that she is on a shortlist with several other managers. They list Holloway, Sol Campbell, Derek Adams, Joey Barton, and Luke Garrard as the others in contention.