Decision time looming large

Latics consider contenders for hot seat

ATHLETIC’S directors met today to discuss the vacant managerial role at Boundary Park, with an announcement on the new man’s identity expected soon.

The club confirmed the interviews were concluded last week and a shortlist created, from which the board will pluck their replacement for Dave Penney.

While club insiders have insisted there is no rush in appointing the manager in terms of building next season’s squad — large numbers of available players are currently away on holiday — it is likely they will want to get things wrapped up soon in order to get the new man’s feet under the table well ahead of the start of pre-season training on Monday, June 28.

Nobody at Boundary Park is giving anything away regarding the identity of those interviewed about the role, but speculation has centred on a number of former Athletic players including Mark Crossley, Frank Bunn and Lee Richardson.

Those outside of the club who have been linked include Nicky Butt, Paul Dickov, Paul Simpson and Jim Gannon.

Ccaretaker boss Martin Gray may take some encouragement from the fact that Athletic’s League One rivals Colchester United have handed their manager’s job to former number two John Ward following former incumbent Aidy Boothroyd’s switch to Championship outfit Coventry City.

Meanwhile, Athletic will make a slim round-trip saving of 200 miles in next season’s npower League One competition.

Long trips to Norwich City, Gillingham, Southend United and play-off winners Millwall have gone but in their place come away days at Dagenham and Redbridge — promoted from League Two at Wembley on Sunday at the expense of Rotherham — Bournemouth and Plymouth.

Closer to home, Stockport and Leeds won’t face Athletic in League One next season, replaced by relatively local games at promoted Rochdale and relegated Sheffield Wednesday in a division still largely composed of clubs based in the south.