Ex Salford City managers would be interested in talking to Chesterfield

Two men who worked their way up into the National League, only to leave their jobs at Salford City, would be interested in talking to Chesterfield about the managerial vacancy.

Bernard Morely and Anthony Johnson guided Salford to the National League North title last season as joint managers, their third promotion in four campaigns with the club part-owned by a group of Manchester United ‘Class of 92’ legends.

Their exit came as a surprise to many in non-league, given the success, but the club issued a statement citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’

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They’re currently 10/1 for the Town job, with Martin Allen, who today left Barnet, the bookies’ favourite.

Johnson says they’ve had no contact with the Spireites, but it’s a job they’d like to talk about because of the club’s stature and its place in a division they were due to manage in next term.

“We’ve been led to believe we’re in the running for, in terms of the betting, but we’ve not had any contact from anyone at the club,” he said.

“There’s been no contact either way.

“That’s not to say we wouldn’t be interested, we’d definitely be interested in having a chat.

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“It’s a massive football club, in the league that ultimately we want to be manging in.

“We’ll be looking to get straight back on the horse.”

Regardless of where the duo end up, they want to ensure their next club is the right club.

They’ve come a long way from managing Ramsbottom United, who they led to the Northern Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.

So their next move will be an important one.

“The Alfreton job was up and Billy took that, Guiseley are about to announce, Southport have announced,” said Johnson.

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“We feel like we’ve worked dam hard to get out of that league and we’ll want the right opportunity.

“We want to get back on the horse, but it depends what kind of horse that is.

“I don’t like speaking in buzz words but it’s got to be the right project.

“We’re going into our 10th season managing, we’ve worked our way through non-league, with no budget and with a big budget.

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“We want the right club, it’s easy to fall into the trap of the first club that calls you.”

Johnson admitted their phones have been busy but was coy on giving away any detail on potential suitors.

“We’ve had a few offers to go and speak to clubs,” he said.

“It’s just about sitting down and listening to what they’ve got to offer.”