Chester expect to have their new manager in place by the end of the week with Neil Redfearn favourite to land the job.

Interviews are set to begin on Monday after the Blues received over 80 applications for the opportunity to be appointed as successor to Marcus Bignot, who was sacked just 10 days ago.

Former Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn is the new 2/1 favourite with bookmakers to land the role, while the likes of Billy Heath, Ronnie Moore and Shaun Reid all understood to be interested in the job.

Redfearn, 52, was a Barnsley legend in his playing days and is currently at the helm of Doncaster Rovers Belles in the Women’s Super League.

Recently appointed City Fans United chairman David Harrington-Wright confirmed the club hope to have their fifth permanent manager since reforming in 2010 in place before next Saturday’s final game of the season, away at relegation-threatened Barrow.

“We’ve had 82 applications who met the criteria we asked for,” he explained.

“I won’t go into the details of the shortlist, but we have now shortlisted, and the working panel are setting up the interviews for next week.

“We’re extremely pleased with the shortlist and anyone of them I think the fans would be pleased with. The quality of the candidates is exceptional.

“I sincerely hope we will have an appointment in place by the end of next week in time for the last game of the season which gives the new manager a chance to watch the squad and see them playing.

“There’s been some really good applications and the panel will now have a job on their hands choosing the right manager. The new man needs to see a competitive game, so they can see who does what well and to see who they want to move on in the summer as we rebuild the squad.”

The club have revealed two former Football League managers are assisting Chester with their recruitment process on a voluntary basis, with one of those managers set to sit in on the interview panel.

“I think that’s very important,” Harrington-Wright added. “This is a very serious position. We can’t just stick a pin in a chart and say ‘oh, he looks good’. It’s got to be someone with footballing experience who can talk sense.

“There’s nothing like a former football manager to suss out a football manager. We can all interview well but to get under the skin of an interviewee is vital.

“These two people have a lot more knowledge of where the candidates have been and what they have actually achieved so I welcome it and its brilliant of them to volunteer their services to us.”