St Albans City owner Lawrence Levy has said he has been surprised at the number of applicants for the vacant manager’s job – but he won’t be rushed into making a decision.
The club started their search for a new man in charge after the resignation of Jimmy Gray and Graham Golds following the 4-0 defeat to Lowestoft in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
And despite the club’s precarious position in the Vanarama National League South, he says they have been inundated with applications.
Speaking after the 5-0 Herts Senior Cup success over Oxhey Jets, he said: “I made a couple of calls to people I know in the industry for advice but we’ve had countless applications.
“It’s the first time I’ve been involved in the recruiting myself and I had no idea of the number of applications we’d get through.
“I thought we would have to advertise.”
But, with an important six-pointer coming up on Saturday against Margate, Levy has made it clear that they will not just appoint for the sake of it.
“We’re looking at the applications that have come through first and I’m hoping to make a decision as soon as possible,” said the owner.
“But we want the right decision. I’ve said to Harry [Wheeler] take tonight, see how it goes, and if we don’t have anyone by Saturday, Harry will be in charge of the team on Saturday as well.
“I’ve got a couple of irons in the fire. I’ve got a number of meetings in the next two or three days and it’s got to be right. “I don’t want to tempt fate by saying he’ll be in by Friday.”
Chairman Nick Archer admitted there was at least one big name had applied but would give nothing away as to who that was.
However, one man who would be interested is caretaker boss, Harry Wheeler.
When asked would he take the job on a permanent basis, his response was quick and decisive.
He said: “I never say never. I always have confidence in myself and always think I can do something and affect it.
“Outside circumstances could dictate differently but in terms of do I want it? Of course. Always would. Yes.”
His first audition at Oxhey was a resounding success and he has already turned his attention to the probability he will be in charge on Saturday.
He added: “That was why we came down with a strong side tonight. They need to know what we are doing on Saturday, that we have a structure and a plan. And if players have a plan, and they have individual jobs to do, they will feel important.
“So if it happens that I’m in charge Saturday, we’ve played a game with the formation, we’ve worked on it in training and it will leave players with no excuse on Saturday.
“We all know what we’re doing.”
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