Napster
No ⭐
Martin Ling could have moved to the top of the list for the manager’s job at Blue Square Premier club Cambridge United.
The former Leyton Orient boss looks set to be shortlisted for the post, left vacant by last week’s sacking of Gary Brabin, after being interviewed by the board.
Chairman George Rolls admitted Ling (pictured), who spent six years at Brisbane Road before leaving by mutual consent in January, had impressed the directors involved in the talks.
He said: "Martin Ling is an intelligent and highly thought-of manager.
"He’d be a front-runner. However, he has been a manager at a League One club which comes with different pitfalls to managing in the Conference in terms of budgets, wages and other factors.
"We need to look at the whole package, but he has been interviewed and did very well."
Rolls confirmed the board had interviewed Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Devonshire on Monday, but said they would not be considering him further.
He also said talks had taken place with Alan Lewer, despite the former United assistant-manager stating that he had not been contacted by the club following his application.
John Yems, who left his role as Exeter City number two last week, and Billy McEwan, whose managerial CV includes spells with Sheffield United, Rotherham, Darlington, York City and Mansfield Town, are also understood to have been interviewed.
Rolls refused to comment on whether either man had been spoken to, but said the board still had three or four un-named candidates to meet over the next few days.
He said: "Some of the board have got an idea of who they want to appoint, but there are a lot of factors to take into account.
"They’ve got to be able to come and develop players, which is an important thing for any club, and work with the board.
"We’ve all got to be singing from the same hymnsheet in which way the club is going forward.
"I understand people’s frustration thinking the season is only a few weeks away, but we’ve got to make sure we’re getting the right person.
"It’s also vital the board is unanimous on this one rather than a split vote, because it’s going to be an important appointment."
The former Leyton Orient boss looks set to be shortlisted for the post, left vacant by last week’s sacking of Gary Brabin, after being interviewed by the board.
Chairman George Rolls admitted Ling (pictured), who spent six years at Brisbane Road before leaving by mutual consent in January, had impressed the directors involved in the talks.
He said: "Martin Ling is an intelligent and highly thought-of manager.
"He’d be a front-runner. However, he has been a manager at a League One club which comes with different pitfalls to managing in the Conference in terms of budgets, wages and other factors.
"We need to look at the whole package, but he has been interviewed and did very well."
Rolls confirmed the board had interviewed Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Devonshire on Monday, but said they would not be considering him further.
He also said talks had taken place with Alan Lewer, despite the former United assistant-manager stating that he had not been contacted by the club following his application.
John Yems, who left his role as Exeter City number two last week, and Billy McEwan, whose managerial CV includes spells with Sheffield United, Rotherham, Darlington, York City and Mansfield Town, are also understood to have been interviewed.
Rolls refused to comment on whether either man had been spoken to, but said the board still had three or four un-named candidates to meet over the next few days.
He said: "Some of the board have got an idea of who they want to appoint, but there are a lot of factors to take into account.
"They’ve got to be able to come and develop players, which is an important thing for any club, and work with the board.
"We’ve all got to be singing from the same hymnsheet in which way the club is going forward.
"I understand people’s frustration thinking the season is only a few weeks away, but we’ve got to make sure we’re getting the right person.
"It’s also vital the board is unanimous on this one rather than a split vote, because it’s going to be an important appointment."