Calum McIntyre does not wish to be considered for the Chester manager's job on a permanent basis, the rookie boss has confirmed.

The academy head coach was cast into the spotlight this week having been asked to take over first-team duties for the remainder of the season, following Marcus Bignot's sacking on Wednesday.

Bignot was informed of his sacking by two board directors at Chester's youth team cup semi-final tie, which McIntyre's teenagers won 4-1 to progress into the final.

His three-match tenure began with a 4-2 defeat at Boreham Wood on Saturday, after which the 24-year-old insisted his 'intentions were quite clear' in terms of returning to his academy role once the Blues have sought an appointment as their new manager, with applications currently being accepted.

"It has been a really tough week and I have made my intentions quite clear (regarding the first-team job). It's not an ideal scenario," he explained.

"A word for Marcus Bignot who integrated me into the first team. He spoke at length on Tuesday about the way we were working together and I endorse those comments massively. I have learned a lot off the coaches I have worked with here but with Marcus over the past few weeks, we have worked really closely as it was very much just me and him.

"I love coaching but it is going to be really difficult. The first problem I encountered yesterday was that I am not old enough to drive the club van to training! We are going to encounter some challenges.

"It is a really difficult situation for me and I hope people understand that. It is only a temporary arrangement and it is not geared to anything and everyone knows that, I love my role with the academy. I am midway through a project which is very exciting."

The caretaker manager praised Chester's travelling supporters on the road throughout what has been a trying campaign, with relegation now confirmed and the Blues to take the drop into National League North for next season.

“A word for the supporters too, they are unbelievable. Both with me and with everything this week, they’ve got behind the lads who have travelled and we are where we are, our future is sealed," he added.

“I’d have loved to give the southern-based supporters who have travelled watching us this season something to smile about today but unfortunately we weren’t able to do that. But I hope we produced a committed performance that represented this group. We have struggled and we weren’t quite able to get the result.

“It’s a very difficult situation for me and this is just a temporary arrangement, I hope everyone appreciates that.”

Opposition boss Luke Garrard praised McIntyre for his conduct in the wake of Bignot's dismissal.

"Chester are a very good side who have unfortunately slipped out of the league now," Garrard added.

"Calum has dealt with the situation well and I thought his team caused us a lot of problems going forward. It's not easy for him but he's done well."