Dons run rule over contenders

11:18am Wednesday 9th May 2007

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AFC Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson wants to appoint a new boss by the end of May.

Former boss Dave Anderson was sacked last Wednesday in the wake of the Dons' play-off semi-final defeat to Bromley.

After being consigned to a third successive season in the Ryman Premier Division, it left one of the most sought-after jobs in non-league football up for grabs.

And the process to fill the Kingsmeadow hot seat began in earnest yesterday, with the club setting up their first interviews tomorrow (Thursday).

Samuelson said he expected about 60 applications, with the successful contender in place by the end of the month.

Former Aldershot and Hayes boss Terry Brown is believed to be the frontrunner after missing out on the Woking post, while Lewes boss Steve King is also understood to be in the frame.

Ex-Brentford manager and former Wimbledon FC player Scott Fitzgerald revealed to the Comet last week that he would be interested in taking over the reigns at Kingsmeadow, while another ex-Don, former Dorchester Town chief Mark Morris, could also be in with a shout.

It is also been suggested that Dons legends Robbie Earle, who is doing his coaching badges, and Warren Barton, who coaches at Conference champions Dagenham & Redbridge, could be in line for a dramatic and nostalgic return to the club in some capacity.

Chief executive Samuelson has remained tight-lipped on his shortlist.

"The serious business of finding our new manager begins this week," he said.

"We will be interviewing the candidates we know we want to interview and they will start on Thursday.

"We want to get a move on with it, because we want to give the new manager as much time as possible but without rushing the process.

"We are expecting some very strong candidates."

After the first round of interviews, the strongest four candidates will be invited back for a second interview, from which the new boss will be identified.