Race for boss seat wide open

SIMON Corney says the club is “in no rush” to appoint a permanent manager.

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ATHLETIC could yet name the club’s new manager before the final game of this season — but chairman Simon Corney has said again he’s in no rush to do so.

Temporary boss Dean Holden remains in the mix. The board has interviewed two other candidates for a second time, Mark Yates and Paul Ashworth.

The club’s mid-table safety in Sky Bet League has provided space for directors to assess their options.

“It is still extremely open,” Corney told the Chronicle. “We are exhausting our research into all the candidates we have seen before we make that final decision.

“Truth is we aren’t in a rush. There is no exact timeframe. We have spoken to some fantastic candidates, but they have to tick all of the boxes for us.”

It is thought Corney will want to appoint a manager around the time of the final home game of the season, against Peterborough on May 3. This would give time for an important pre-season schedule, currently being worked on by Holden, to be finalised.

Holden is believed to have impressed both the club and players. He has picked up 13 points from 13 fixtures despite an extensive list of injuries and illnesses. The 35 year old, who only gave up playing to become a full-time coach in November, also points to refereeing decisions that, had they gone Oldham’s way, might have put Oldham four points higher up the table.

There is no indication as yet that Yates or Ashworth have done enough to push themselves to the front of the queue, while Iain Dowie has not ruled himself out.

Supporters shouldn’t have to wait much longer to discover the man chosen to take charge.

twitter: @Matt_Chambers_