THERE are “no immediate plans” at Worcester City to replace Ian King following his sudden departure as first-team coach.

Just over three months after joining National League North side City, the 41-year-old advised manager Carl Heeley he wished to leave due to personal reasons.

Heeley appointed King, who was on Leamington’s coaching team last season, in May following former joint-boss Matt Gardiner’s decision to join Kidderminster Harriers.

However, Heeley said he would not be looking for a replacement as he believed he and assistant manager John Snape would be able to carry the extra workload.

“Kingy has left for personal reasons and that’s that,” he said.

“Snap and I are going to give it a go, just the two of us, and see how we get on.

“There are no immediate plans to replace him. We wish Ian well and thank him for everything he has done for the club and we move on.”

Asked whether he was disappointed to lose King so early into the season, Heeley added: “Nothing disappoints me in football as I have been in it too long.

“I don’t beat myself up when things like this happen and I don’t get over-excited when things go our way. You have got to keep a level head about things.”

Prior to his stint at Leamington, who narrowly missed out on promotion to National League North last term, King spent four seasons as a youth coach at Birmingham City.

He previously played for a host of clubs, including Rushden and Diamonds, Stevenage, Nuneaton and Kettering.

Soon after his arrival at City, Heeley said he liked Daventry-based King’s “ideas” and “philosophies”.

He said King would open up a “network of contacts” at Football League clubs due to being League Football Education regional officer.

However, during King’s eight games in the dug-out, City picked up just three points with no wins on the board.

They beat Alfreton Town 5-3 on Tuesday in their first game without the coach and head to Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday (3pm).