Northampton chairman Kelvin Thomas will not rush to appoint Jon Brady’s successor following his resignation and admitted caretaker manager Ian Sampson is firmly in the mix for the job.
Thomas told BBC Radio Northampton he has received 75 applicants after Brady stepped down last week, ranging from managers with experience in the Championship to non-league.
But while the Cobblers will take their time to formulate a shortlist, Thomas admits Sampson has indicated he is interested in the role and remains in a strong position to stake his claim.
The 56-year-old certainly got off to a good start in his position as caretaker, with Northampton beating Peterborough United 2-1 in the Nene derby on Monday night.
“Sammo has indicated an interest but we haven’t sat down fully and talked. But as caretaker manager you have the best possible interview going every Saturday,” Thomas said.
“That is not to say if he wins the next few games or gets some really good results the job is his. We haven’t made that decision.
“But it’s not that the job isn’t his… we haven’t discounted him.”
Should Sampson land the job it would be a second spell in the Cobblers dugout following a first between September 2009 and March 2011.
And Thomas admitted the former Cobblers defender might feel there is unfinished business after he was sacked last time.
“I was involved at Oxford at the time when he was sacked last time but most people at the football club have said it was a bit harsh and a bit too soon,” Thomas added.
Sampson oversaw an important win in his first match since Brady’s surprise exit with the victory over Posh lifting Northampton out of the relegation places into 17th in League One.
They travel to Rotherham United on Saturday, with the underperforming Millers 20th in the table, before another game against Peterborough on Tuesday, in the Vertu Trophy.
“On Monday night he brought a calmness to the situation and the staff and players seemed to like it. It is good to see the players have had a bit of a lift,” said Thomas.
“If he keeps winning football matches he will put himself in a great shape and in the shop window.”