Dessie Farrell has been installed as the favourite to succeed Jim Gavin as the Dublin senior football manager.
Gavin announced that he was stepping down from the role on Saturday morning after leading his county to a historic five consecutive All-Ireland titles.
And Paddy Power make Farrell as odds-on to try to fill the big shoes left by the 48-year-old.
Farrell has guided Dublin to All-Ireland titles at minor and U-21 level and was in charge charge of Na Fianna this year.
The former chief executive and founder member of the GPA won an All-Star as a player and was an integral part of Dublin's 1995 All-Ireland win.
"Dessie Farrell is probably the stick-out candidate in terms of his credentials," Whelan, a two-time All Star with the Dubs, told RTÉ Sport.
"He worked with Jack McCaffrey and Ciaran Kilkenny, these guys at development squads, brought them through to win an All-Ireland and deliver at Under-21.
"Jason Sherlock has been Jim's right-hand man. He could be part of the ticket. Pat Gilroy would be an obvious [candidate] if he’s not tied up with business commitments.
"It will be interesting to see who steps up to the mark.
"Mick Bohan [manager of the Dublin women’s team] could be, he was involved with Jim in 2013 and is well-regarded as a very good coach but Dessie is probably the front-runner based on what he has delivered at Juvenile level."
Next in Paddy Power's betting is Dublin coach and Gavin's former teammate Paul Clarke who has in recent seasons taken charge of the senior team during the O'Byrne Cup.
Jason Sherlock, who has also been on Gavin's coaching ticket, is also set to be in the running, while it is 14/1 for Jim McGuinness - the only manager to get the better of Gavin in a Championship game - to take over at the capital.
A Paddy Power spokesperson said: "The capital city will be feeling blue in the run up to Christmas following news of Jim's departure.
"Suddenly the search for six has become the chase to replace as the county board scramble to find someone to fill his shoes, and Dessie Farrell is hot favourite for the job".
Next Dublin manager betting odds*
Dessie Farrell 4/6
Paul Clarke 2/1
Declan Darcy 8/1
Jason Sherlock 10/1
Mick Bohan 14/1
Pat Gilroy 14/1
Jim McGuinness 20/1
Tommy Conroy 20/1
Mick Deegan 20/1
Tom Gray 20/1
Malachy O'Rourke 33/1
Paddy Carr 33/1
Stephen Cluxton 33/1
Paddy Christie 33/1
Brian Mullins 33/1
Johnny Magee 40/1
Ciaran Whelan 50/1
Paul Curran 50/1
*odds accurate at time of writing
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