Bromsgrove Rovers FC's manager Jimmy Mullen admitted that he is giving serious thought to his future at the club after right hand man Bernard Mackie was sacked by the board last week.

Chairman Tom Herbert informed assistant manager Mackie, a close personal friend of Mullen, that he was sacrificed as part of budget cuts.

However, Mackie's sacking is thought to have enraged Mullen and left him at loggerheads with Herbert.

Speaking to the Advertiser/Messenger on Tuesday Mullen admitted that he was giving serious thought to quitting Rovers.

He said: "I'm not going to rush into a decision, I have to think very carefully about my next step at the club.

"With Bernard gone I have to look at my situation and see where I go next, but I am still manager for the time being.

"The reason I have been given for Bernard's sacking was money. Well if that's the case then there must be something wrong. I didn't think we went over budget.

"Bernard was an important part of my team. He was a scout and gave me a fresh perspective on things. He could rein me in when needed. He's a big loss."

Mackie, who was brought in by Jimmy when he took over in November 2004, came to help Mullen out against Clevedon on Saturday and Stourport on Monday.

Both he and Mullen were clapped off the pitch by Rovers fans at the end of Monday's game.

Mackie said: "Tom did ask us to make a £300 cut to the budget four or five weeks ago and Jim and I set about to do it. We had lost Paul Szewczyk, were planning to let a player go and we were going to take a pay cut ourselves."

The day after Rovers defeated Cinderford 6-2 defender Phil Male quit Rovers for Willenhall Town, making more cash available.

Mackie said: "Phil leaving made things easier, but Tom caught me by surprise by sacking me. He wants to bring in Rod Brown in and he thought sacking me would force Jimmy out.

"I told Jim to stay for the weekend and came to support him, but now I think he should go. He's in a difficult situation that he can't win.

"I've said goodbye to the fans, who were great and decided not to come back. I'mloooking for a role somewhere else.

Herbert though insists that Mackie's dismissal is down to money and not trying to force Mullen out.

He said: "Jimmy and Bernard had been over budget all season. They were asked to cut the budget and nothing was done. It was a decision taken by the board.

"I don't know anything about Rod Brown coming here and I have not spoken to him."

To add fuel to the rumour Brown, who took United up to the Nationwide Conference North two seasons ago, attended Rovers' home games against Sutton Coldfield, Cinderford and Clevedon.

However, already the Rovers' chairman has come under-fire for the sacking of Mackie.

One anonymous Rovers' fan has sent a letter to the paper calling on his fellow supporters to show their displeasure about the situation at the club's next home game, which is against Marlow on Tuesday, January 7.

"I am writing to ask for full support of all Rovers fans. Even if you only read the paper please come along to the next home game on the January 10 and voice your anger at Mr Herbert (the chairman). He has sacked our assistant manager just to try and get our manager to resign."

l Scott Hadland is set to decide whether he will leave the Victoria Ground for Halesowen Town at the end of the week.

The midfielder, Rovers' second top scorer, is set to talk to club officials before making his mind up.

Mullen believes the team is all set to win promotion after earning seven points from the last three games.

He said: "We've got three games in hand and aren't too faraway from the top six, so there's a lot to play for."

Goalkeeper Lee Evans has returned from a one game loan at Chasetown to Rovers.

By Peter McKinney