Town close in on new boss

By jtompson

GRIMSBY Town chairman John Fenty has given his clearest indication yet that a new manager could be in the hot seat before the weekend – and provided former boss Russell Slade with a glowing reference.

Mr Fenty revealed yesterday that the shortlist of candidates to replace Mike Newell is taking shape, with interviews planned for later this week.

He said: "There are six candidates that I have personally identified and I am sure the other board members will have their own ideas as well.

"We will be seeing them this week as a matter of urgency.

"Having six targets says a lot about the quality of the applicants we have had. They have operated at various levels of the game. Some will be well known to the fans and others not so."

The chairman also confirmed he still holds one of the applicants, former Town manager Russell Slade, in high regard.

Slade took the Mariners to the League Two play-off final in 2006 and is looking to get straight back into management following his recent sacking by Brighton and Hove Albion.

Mr Fenty said: "We don't need to interview Russell Slade at this stage because we know him sufficiently well. We know where we stand with him and he knows what we want at this football club.

"Russell's time here and our relationship was a good one. It ended on a contractual disagreement, nothing more.

"He has gone on to Yeovil, and then did exceptionally well to save Brighton's bacon last year. I actually played my part in Russell getting that job. I spoke to Dick Knight there and recommended him, which speaks volumes.

"But he is one candidate of several that are before us and I stress that we are not looking to make an erratic decision."

Mr Fenty added that Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Blue Square Conference South side Bath City will have no impact on the timing of the appointment.

"What happened at the weekend has not changed the pace at which we make this decision. We want to make it quickly but we do not want to do it in haste.

"This is the most important decision for this football club for a number of years. We have to get it right."