BURY chairman Brian Fenton is hoping to unveil the club’s new manager by the end of next week.

The Bury Times understands that five candidates are to be interviewed, including caretaker boss Richie Barker.

Barker led the team to promotion at the end of last season by taking 19 points from a possible 24. And he certainly fits the criteria laid down by Fenton and the club’s board of directors.

“We would have liked to have a manager in place by now, but we let the season run because of the excellent job done by Richie,” Fenton said.

“He certainly made a good case for himself with the results he picked up and he deserves the interview that he will have next week.

“We have had some good candidates apply, but I want to make sure the next manager is in a similar mould to the one we lost (Alan Knill).

“I don’t want my manager sitting in an office, those days are gone. I want a manager who is out there on the training ground developing players, playing the right brand of football, and making sure the youth team set-up is looked after.

“It is about carrying on the same routine. For example, we will have five players in our squad next season who have come through the youth system.

“That shows we are heading in the right direction.”

Fenton admits he has had some strange applications, but also a number of quality names wanting to land the top job.

“I have had Subbutteo managers send in their cvs, people who have managed on computer games, but they have gone straight into the bin,” he said.

“I am pleased with the shortlist we have got and I want to get someone in place as soon as possible because the close season is upon us now and the new manager needs to be looking at players and putting his squad together.”

Bury will play Burnley in a pre-season friendly at Gigg Lane on Tuesday, July 12.

They will also host FC United of Manchester on Saturday, July 23, and travel to Radcliffe Borough on Saturday, July 9.