STAN MARTIN looks favourite to become Leigh's third coach this season.

The New Zealander has just resigned at Whitehaven - who, ironically, provided Leigh with their first win since May.

And, although the First Division club is leaving their options open, speculation is strong that Stan's the Man.

For Norman Turley, who remains in charge until a new coach is installed, it has been a miserable two months since he was elevated to the No 1 slot at Hilton Park.

He will voluntarily stand down - with chairman Mick Higgins promising him his future.

Turley stepped up from assistant to head coach when Keith Latham stood down in May, but since then Leigh have tumbled to the bottom of Division One, only picking up his first win on Sunday.

Leigh advertised the post in Monday's Rugby League trade papers and are willing to consider applications from at home and abroad.

Higgins was quick to point out there has been no pressure put on Turley.

"He has found that, like Keith before him, the demands of the job are great for someone working on a part-time basis," said Higgins.

"We feel the club will benefit all round if we can get someone in full-time to work with the players and to get out into the town and pick up on the development work in schools and local clubs.

"When Norman came to the club he had no aspirations to be a head coach and was just happy to work in an assistant capacity.

"That's what he wants to return to do and we've promised him that will be the case when the new man comes in."

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