Thomas expects to be '˜inundated with applications' if Wilder leaves Cobblers

Chairman Kelvin Thomas believes the Cobblers will be '˜inundated with applications' for the manager's post at Sixfields if Chris Wilder decides to leave and become the boss at Charlton Athletic.
Cobblers chairman Kelvin ThomasCobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas
Cobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas

Thomas says the Town job is a very attractive one, highlighting the strength of the Cobblers’ title-winning squad and the stability and strength of the club, and also believes time will be on his side if they have to make any new appointment.

Wilder, a former Charlton loan player, is expected to agree terms with the Addicks this week, with the Town boss being given permission to talk to representatives at the Valley after an official approach was made for his services on Monday morning.

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Thomas says he has ‘probably accepted’ that Wilder will be leaving, and has turned his attentions to making plans for a fresh managerial appointment.

The chairman believes he and his fellow board members will be spoilt for choice when it comes to who may be the next Cobblers boss.

“I think we will be inundated with applications because it is a good job, we are a stable club, a strong club, and we have a fantastic group of players here,” said Thomas.

“That is the legacy that Chris has left with us, beyond getting promoted, that is that he has left us with a very, very strong group of players.

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“That group was always going to be added to anyway this summer, so I think a lot of those decisions would be in conjunction with the new manager.”

Like everybody else, Thomas is in a state of limbo as nothing has been confirmed and as it stands Wilder is still the Cobblers boss.

He is expected to switch to the Valley, which means the chairman has to explore options for a replacement, and he is relaxed about that process.

“There will be discussions, but we have time and there are six or seven weeks before pre-season is due to begin,” said Thomas.

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“I think it will take a few weeks to get a manager in place if we do the process right, and it might be that we hit our target straight away.

“It could be we speak to the first person and we are comfortable that he is the right one, but sometimes these processes can take a bit longer so we will see.”

Not surprisingly, speculation has already started as to who may replace Wilder if he does leave, with the Bolton Evening News today reporting Peter Reid is a Town target.

Former Sunderland boss Reid has been working as ‘football advisor’ to Bolton Wanderers interim manager Jimmy Phillips.