WORCESTER City have had “many expressions of interest” in the vacant managerial position, according to chairman Anthony Hampson.

The search has begun at City to find a replacement for Carl Heeley who ended his seven-year reign as boss at the weekend.

Heeley’s exit has been viewed by many fans as a huge blow to the Vanarama National League North strugglers.

However, Hampson insisted the club were “larger than one man” and said it was important they “move on from his era” as 18th-placed City bid to avoid the drop.

Worcester, who were thumped 3-0 at Gloucester City last Saturday, are on a 10-match winless streak in the league and just five points and two places above the drop zone.

John Snape, who was Heeley’s number two, is expected to take temporary charge with captain Danny Jackman assisting for City’s clash against play-off chasing Tamworth at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground on Saturday (3pm).

But Hampson said work was ongoing to fill the shoes of Heeley and revealed he had received plenty of interest in the role. It is likely cash-strapped City would be restricted by finances to either managers out of work or those plying their trade at a much lower level.

“All I’m prepared to say is we have had many expressions of interest in the manager’s job,” Hampson said.

“We will be making an announcement once the selection process has been finalised.”

Since taking over from Richard Dryden in January 2010, Heeley retained City’s status in the sixth tier for seven straight seasons and guided them to the FA Cup second round in 2014.

However, the 48-year-old admitted one of the reasons he stepped down was due to “internal politics” at the club with “people pulling in different directions”.

Hampson hailed the City stalwart, who has represented the club on almost 1,000 occasions, as an “excellent manager”.

But the Worcester chief, who has faced fierce criticism amid concerns over the nomadic club’s future, said the next incumbent would create a new era.

“As far as the future of the club is concerned Carl was an excellent manager,” Hampson added.

“But the club will move on from his era to continue another.

“The club is larger than one man and that includes me or anybody else for that matter.”