GORDON STRACHAN has emerged as one of the front-runners for the vacant post of Liverpool manager.

The former Saints boss has been priced by Ladbrokes as 5-1 fourth favourite for the job to succeed Gerard Houllier, behind Valencia manager Rafael Benitez, Charlton's Alan Curbishley and Celtic boss Martin O'Neill.

Strachan has been out of football since February after leaving Saints three months earlier than hoped following the furore over the planned return of Glenn Hoddle.

The Scot was keeping a promise to his family that he would take a break from football management when his contract at Saints was due to expire at the end of the season.

How long he intends that break to be is unclear, but the lure of the most successful club in the history of British football would surely be very hard to refuse if Liverpool did come calling.

Aside from some work as a summariser for BBC, Strachan has now spent 14 weeks away from football.

In that time, he has also been linked with jobs at Leeds, Tottenham as well as the Scotland national set-up.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said the club would be looking for a new manager "with a proven track record", adding that "quality would be the watchword" be it a British or foreign coach to replace Houllier.

The Frenchman's six-season reign came to an end yesterday, even though Liverpool secured a fourth place finish to ensure Champions League qualification.

Despite winning six trophies, Liverpool have never seriously challenged for the Championship under Houllier - a trophy that has not returned to Anfield since 1990.

This season they finished some 30 points behind Arsenal.

Parry said: "It is about raising the standards still further and getting us back to being a contender.

"The question is: 'Who is the candidate who is most likely to help us challenge for the title?'

"That is easily said but a bit more difficult to identify and the thing we are going to bear absolutely uppermost in our minds.

"Track record is obviously going to be important. If you are looking at someone's ability to win trophies, there is some proof they have done it. That clearly helps.

"It won't be the only criteria. Commitment, enthusiasm, hunger will be very important too."

Houllier had wanted to carry on, but eventually bowed to the board's wishes.

He said: "The pressure is something I can cope with, though some of you have tested me over the last 10 months.

"But I thought it could be harmful for the players in next season's campaign and I also thought that it could jeopardise their performance and achievement."