Herne Bay chairman Matt Barman discusses club search for Steve Lovell’s replacement at Winch’s Field

Patience will be key in Herne Bay’s search for a new manager - with chairman Matt Barman hopeful the new man at the helm will be at the club for the long term.

Isthmian South East strugglers Bay will begin to consider applicants from this (Monday) afternoon, having advertised for candidates after last week’s sacking of ex-Gillingham manager Steve Lovell.

Barman, who took charge of the team alongside director of football Dan Tanner for last weekend’s 1-1 home draw against play-off chasing Merstham, will be in no rush to fill the hot-seat. He hopes the new boss remains in charge for at least three to five years.

Barman said: “I’m the chairman, first and foremost.

“We’re a community interest company and part of being a community interest company is ‘What’s the best decision for the company?’. So, we will make what we think is the best decision.

“That certainly will never come down to making a rash decision and getting things wrong.

“We need to get it right because, with the next manager that comes in, I’d want him for three to five years - at least - to take us to the next step. You cannot decide that on a quick phone-call.

Report: Herne Bay 1-1 Merstham

Barman: Bay’s players can be content with weekend display

“You need to get people in and have a look at what they have got.”

Plenty of managers have put themselves forward for the gig at Winch’s Field.

But Barman revealed he was yet to properly look at the list of candidates after the Merstham match, which saw winger Josh Reid put the home team ahead, only for the Moatsiders to equalise in the fifth minute of stoppage time through Lee Lewis’ free-kick.

“There’s been lots [of applicants] - but we have been busy, preparing the team,” he said.

“The decision was made in