History shows that for most city managers who make it this far, their best days are behind them and ahead lies only snake-filled trenches.

So, in keeping with tradition, there’s already been plenty of speculation about who will succeed Lynch as Lowell’s 18th city manager.

Over the last several weeks, two names have been mentioned most frequently: Rep. Kevin Murphy and former state Sen. Steven Panagiotakos.

A word on both men. Murphy, a former assistant city solicitor, would have more seriously considered applying for the job, heck, he might have even applied, when Lynch was hired in Aug. 2006 had he known a contract was in the offing. And Panagiotakos would have easily replaced John F. Cox if he wanted the job — but he didn’t.

A third name has recently surfaced, and it belongs to Richard Howe Jr. Howe is the son of the former councilor Richard Howe who currently holds the elected position of North Middlesex Registrar of Deeds. As politically astute as Howe is, he’s also tech savvy enough to know that someday technology will likely make registries of deeds obsolete.

There’s also attractive municipal manager job openings in Arlington and Framingham, not far from where Lynch grew up. Next spring, the job in Burlington will open up, as Robert Mercier, the former Tyngsboro selectman, Billerica town manager, and chamber of commerce executive, is retiring.