Speculation linking Mick O'Dwyer to a dramatic return to the Laois managerial hot seat has started to intensify after he was nominated for the role last week.
O'Dwyer, who managed the county from 2003 to 2006, has been nominated by former county board chairman Dick Miller following the ousting of Sean Dempsey.
Dempsey was relieved of his duties after his side suffered defeats to Meath in the Leinster championship and then to Tipperary in the All-Ireland qualifiers, and O'Dwyer has now emerged as the surprise favourite to replace him.
'I've put Micko's name to one of the executive and I've no problem offering my support for him,' Miller told the Leinster Express.
'His record in Laois speaks for itself and we haven't been anywhere near the same level since he left. He created a great stir around the place and I reckon he'd do the same again if he came back. It needs a lift again.'
Another of the county's former chairmen Joe O'Dwyer echoed Miller's comments and insisted: 'I'd welcome Micko back with open arms.
'We'd great times under him and he got an awful lot out of the players. I'd have no problem supporting him and I think it would improve Laois again if he came back.
'Having said that, we can blame managers and the county board but the players have to step up to it. If you look at any of the teams going well, they all have leaders and Laois don't have that at the moment. If that doesn't change, it doesn't matter who's in charge.'
