The applications continue to flood in as the race to become Shrewsbury Town’s 20th Football League manager hots up – with ex-Preston boss Paul Simpson and former Leicester City chief Micky Adams emerging among the front runners to land the job.
Town managing director Rob Bickerton has been impressed by the quality of applications already received, despite all but ruling out the possibility of the club having a new man in place by the weekend.
He said caretaker manager John McMahon would be in charge for at least the next two games, a home double header against promotion chasing pair Rotherham on Saturday and Darlington on Tuesday.
Bickerton did not want to comment on individuals but a host of names have been linked with the post over the last few days.
Simpson and Adams – the latter is believed to have been at Oteley Road yesterday – have both been widely tipped to replace Gary Peters while ex-MK Dons boss Martin Allen, former Stoke manager Gudjon Thordarsson and ex-Hearts boss John Robertson are also believed to be interested in the job.
Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy and ex-Luton chief Mike Newell are also thought to be in the frame.
“The applications are coming in non-stop,” said Bickerton. “I keep trying to tidy up my desk and another piece of paper comes in. I said on Monday when Gary left that we would probably quickly have 60 or 70 applications within days, and that’s the case.
“I’m aware of the rumours and who they’re about. I understand why certain individuals become favourites with the fans.
“They base those opinions on what they’ve seen of individuals in the media and the records they have. I’m also a fan of football so I have the same feelings. But until we meet with people and talk with them at length, that’s when the opinions will be formed.
“It’s still very early days and we’re not in a rush. The people we’ve put in temporary charge are competent people who have been in the game a very long time.”
Bickerton added chairman Roland Wycherley was determined to get the best man possible for the job of reviving Town’s fortunes.
“I hear constant praise for the chairman for what he’s achieved here,” said Bickerton. “I’ve never met a chairman who’s more attached to his football club than this one.
“He’s hurting that we’re not where he wants us to be, but he’s very wise, very strong and he’s acting in the best interests of this football club.”