[Paul]

Some of the names mentioned, after losing SK, it's going from the sublime to the ridiculous. Whoever is appointed, SK has shown that it needs to be someone with a wide field of good contacts. I really hope that the local players mention is just about developing young local talent as part of a wider strategy and not about drawing from a limited regional pool of players as seemed to be the case with LM. 

If the Chambers are really serious about promotion to NL in three seasons (any new owner will make such a statement) , then it needs to be someone experienced at this level, not giving it to a rookie and asking them to work with regional players - that way lies disaster. It won't be NL in three seasons, it'll be SL. Let's hope that our new owners are astute enough to make the right appointment.

[Tigermatty 2.0]

But you also need to be realistic with who we can attract part time in terms of both manager and players. It’s highly likely that most of the players will need to be relatively local, 60/90 mins drive at most.

[Penalty83]

In fairness to Matty here I think he’s just offering a list of localish managers without comment not suggesting we should appoint them.

I don’t buy into the local manager thing myself. I think we should appoint the best manager available within our budget whether he’s from longlevens or Llandudno. For me it’s about contacts and clear communication about what the budget and circumstance is prior to appointment (part time etc) and then the club and prospective managers can decide if it’s the right fit. We shouldn’t limit ourselves geographically.

That being said the most likely outcome is a local manager I’m just saying at initial application stage we shouldn’t rule out talking to someone based on their location if they have the skills we’re looking for and they think we’re the right fit for them.

[Andrew R]

I said on one of the Fb forums that the new gaffer has to be tactically astute, have really good connections (the little black book), and be familiar with the National League.

Is that too much to ask?

[Severnside]

I do think going back part time will mean a part time manager and that in itself will rule out many who are cut from the same cloth as SK and more likely someone in a job already such as Cook,Harris,Richards in the past.

Some of the names banded about are from my point a bit of fun and looking at locally based managers who have done well and should have contacts. I'm sure PC has been working on this and has his own ideas, he promoted DR from Thacham but Hungerfird punched well above there weight regards  budget so we should be better equipped at City.
 I wouldn't be at all surprised if he appoints from a lower league, but as said contacts as we know is critical. I would be ecstatic if we get a SK type again but it's a bit unrealistic sadly now.

[Paul]

I said on one of the Fb forums that the new gaffer has to be tactically astute, have really good connections (the little black book), and be familiar with the National League.

Is that too much to ask?

Agree. I accept, as Matt has said, that we need to be realistic, but please not a rookie manager. And it has to be a manager, not a coach. There was a difference between SK and LM in that regard.

[RJS]

The only point I diverge from the general consensus is the need for National League experience.  Would I like the next appointment to have that experience, yes, but new managers have to gain that experience somewhere.  I wouldn't want us to miss out on the next big thing in terms of non league management just because he doesn't have the relevant tick box of experience.

Lets say Paul Michael is destined for bigger and better things (not saying that he should be the next manager, just plucking a name out), and we miss out on him because he hasn't managed in the NLN/NLS, then I think being wedded to that idea would be a mistake.

The key is that they are the right appointment when you balance of the relevant factors.  Experience is one of those factors, but only one of them.

[Andrew R]

The only point I diverge from the general consensus is the need for National League experience.  Would I like the next appointment to have that experience, yes, but new managers have to gain that experience somewhere.  I wouldn't want us to miss out on the next big thing in terms of non league management just because he doesn't have the relevant tick box of experience.

A good example is Calum Macintyre at Chester: he was part of their academy setup and had virtually no NL experience (other than a short caretaker role 5 years ago) but he’s done pretty well.

[Neil]

Problem with up and coming ambitious managers is that bigger clubs often want them and while we might be building for long term success clubs like Chesterfield swoop in and break things up.

We'd be doing the same to Merthyr.

[Paul]

If we went for someone local, I'd be looking at Mike Cook. With AP leaving, and if Mike was interested, he knows what it takes at this level. With a rookie you don't know what you're getting. True, you might get the next big thing, but that's a big chance to take.