Chairman wants to stick with experience

Warnock's departure this afternoon leaves the club searching for its fourth manager in the space of a year and while the chairman expects no shortage of interest in the post, he knows what kind of man is required.

"We are expecting big interest in the job," he told the Advertiser. "I tend to like experience and look at track records, that plays a big part. Ideally we want someone with experience of the Championship, we do not want to bring in a learning curve.

"By 4 o'clock I expect to have ten applications and by Friday I wouldn't be surprised if there are 50."

Mr Stewart said he could not disclose the exact reasons for Warnock's departure but said the two of them remained on good terms.

"Neil (and his coaches) have done their job and there is no bitterness. He goes with our best wishes, we parted as friends."

More from the chairman in this Friday's Advertiser.