ASSISTANT manager Paul ‘Oggy’ Hunt is on a short list of three to take over as the new boss of Cirencester Town.

The post became vacant on Saturday after Adi Viveash resigned six games into the new league season and 16 months after he took up his first role in management.

Viveash’s reign ended ignominiously with a 2-1 home defeat against Cinderford Town when both he and Hunt were sent to the stands after complaining vociferously about the visitors’ equaliser late in the first half.

Viveash is taking up a full-time coaching job at Chelsea’s Academy in Cobham, Surrey, principally looking after the U12s squad.

He told the Ciren players of his decision in the dressing room after the Cinderford game and Hunt immediately threw his hat in the ring for the top job.

Town chairman Steve Abbley said on Sunday night that a decision about Viveash’s successor would be made within 24 hours, in time to take the two scheduled training sessions this week, prior to the away match at Slough Town on Saturday.

“As soon as Adi had been offered the Chelsea job on Wednesday, we put out some feelers and even today I have had four or five texts from people who want the job,” said Abbley.

“I have talked to my No 2 and No 3 choices from the interviews we conducted at the time we appointed Adi. They are currently working as assistants elsewhere, but both have confirmed they would be interested in becoming manager.

“I also had a 40-minute chat with Oggy and I was impressed with his thoughts.

“He really wants the job and, of course, he has a head start in that he knows the players well. Against that is his limited managerial experience.

“Oggy has also said that he would be prepared to continue as assistant under a new man.

“We have narrowed it down to three candidates, including Oggy. My vice chairman, Dave Bougen, and myself will be making a quick decision, probably by Monday afternoon.”

Abbley also revealed he spoke to the squad after Viveash had dropped his bombshell in the dressing room after Saturday’s game.

“I went in after Adi had told them the news to reassure them about their futures,” said Abbley. “I told them we would have someone in place no later than Tuesday.

“I said that players and managers come and go and life goes on.

“Adi sees his new job as a career move. He believes his future is in coaching rather than management and this would be a step back towards the pro game.

“I think he struggled to come to grips with managing at non-league level and what he saw as a lack of professionalism in the players.

“But anyone who comes in has to get over that hurdle because for all these players, a match on Saturday afternoon is not their livelihood – it is something they do for enjoyment.”