Decision time on new boss

LATICS JOB LINK . . . former Chesterfield manager and Athletic player Lee Richardson.

ATHLETIC hope to announce the identity of their new manager “as soon as possible”, following the conclusion of the interviews process.

The club have revealed they interviewed an unusually high total of 10 applicants for the job over a two-day period at a secret location earlier this week.

At least one of those men is currently under contract with another club, which would complicate matters should the directors come to the conclusion that he is the one they want to lead Athletic in Coca-Cola League One next season.

“The CVs we received were all interesting and we felt that we were not in a particular rush, so we decided to look at 10 applications seriously,” said Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy.

“There were a couple of surprises and we have been given plenty of food for thought.

“We are following up on references now and while we want to make an appointment as soon as possible, we have certain procedures to go through.”

A myriad of names have been mentioned in connection with the job.

They include Paul Dickov, Lee Richardson, Paul Simpson, Nicky Butt and Jim Gannon, who has yet to commit himself to what was thought a likely move to former club Stockport County, who are expected to announce they have finally exited administration tomorrow.

Current caretaker manager Martin Gray, Mark Crossley and Frank Bunn are all strongly tipped to get the nod.

Steve Cotterill is also available after he left his post at Notts County today.




JON Worthington is spending between two and three days a week at Boundary Park during the off-season in a bid to up his fitness levels.



The 27-year-old midfielder endured a frustrating campaign in which he missed five months due to badly damaged ankle ligaments which required surgery.

Athletic coach Lee Duxbury is putting on extra training sessions at the club for those players who have had injury problems plus those looking for extra fitness work.