Skipper Stuart Whitehead hopes his temporary spell as AFC Telford United’s caretaker manager could open the door to a permanent coaching role.

Whitehead filled in as the Bucks boss for the last week of the Blue Square North campaign following the sacking of manager Rob Smith and his assistant Larry Chambers.

And, despite presiding over a 3-1 defeat at Vauxhall Motors, the experience has made him eager to be involved in the set-up once a new manager is appointed.

Interviews are getting under way over the next few days, and Whitehead has his fingers crossed that the winning candidate will want to speak with him.

“That week I had in charge gave me a real taste to be involved in that side of it,” said Whitehead.

“It was tough but I think, with the way things were, that’s as hard as it gets.

“There was a week with no-one else really helping and everyone was a bit down with what had happened with the management.

“On top of that, I was trying to concentrate on playing as well, but I enjoyed it – and if I had the chance to be involved with the new management I’d jump at it.”

Whitehead, like all but three of his Telford team-mates, is out of contract and is now facing an anxious wait to see if the new man at the helm will keep him on in a playing capacity.

The 33-year-old revealed that he had already fielded phone calls from a few non-League clubs asking about his situation.

But he insists he is happy to wait if the end result is that he can continue his career at the New Bucks Head. “I’ve had a few clubs speak to me, but I want to know what’s happening with Telford first,” he said.

“I want to be at Telford next season. I love playing for this club so I don’t want to go anywhere else.”

By Chris Hudson