Alan Walker says there’s been big interest in the Ashford manager’s job.

Walker completes his nine-match spell as interim boss on Saturday (3pm) when the Nuts & Bolts host Broadbridge Heath in their final Isthmian South East game of the season.

He’s been interviewing candidates for Kevin Watson’s successor and advising the prospective new owners, with a takeover expected to be completed by the end of May.

“We’ve spoken to quite a few possible managers and we’ll be letting people know who that’s going to be,” said Walker.

“At the moment the takeover is in the balance in terms of the deal hasn’t been signed.

“Until it’s signed on the dotted line, which is due to happen in a few weeks’ time, we can’t really say who’s going to be the manager.

“At the moment, Don (Crosbie, owner and co-chairman) is in charge of the club.

“He’s the main man and I’m still working for Don.

“He’s been absolutely fantastic, so supportive, as has Derek (Pestridge), the other chairman.

“I’m not actually choosing the manager.

“I’ve just been speaking to a few people and reporting back to the new owners and they’ll make a decision very shortly.

“I’ve approached some people but the vast majority have come to us. There’s been a lot of interest in the job.

“Don’s had calls off a few people, and they’re ones we know as well, but we’re not interested in those.

“With respect, we believe we can get people who will be better at it.”

Walker has enjoyed his brief return to the dugout after 14 years out of management since leaving Maidstone in 2010, although it’s confirmed how much the game has changed.

He’s been assessing the squad alongside assistant manager Darren Hare, with the pair giving young players a chance to show what they can do with next season in mind.

“I’ve enjoyed it but I can see now there’s a reason why I stopped doing it,” said Walker.

“It’s so frustrating. The game has changed and the people who play the game have changed.

“It’s not the same as when I was playing and managing. The game has changed massively.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s some fantastic players at Ashford, and the other teams we’ve played, and some great lads, but it’s not the same.

“The game was much more physical in my day.

“You fart now and you get booked. It’s silly. You see free-kicks given for what I’d consider nothing but that’s how it is.

“The game has gone that way.

“I see it in the Premier League, I see it everywhere.

“I’m glad I played in the times I did, put it that way. I feel it was a far better spectacle back then.

“There were battles all over the field. You’d have a centre-forward and a centre-half battling, two centre-midfielders battling and a winger and a full-back battling. It was brilliant.

“There were so many duels all over the pitch.

“Those days have gone but I’ve enjoyed it massively.

“It’s been brilliant working with Darren and the lads.”

Ashford, 11th in the table, lost 4-2 at Lancing last Saturday.

Noah Carney scored twice before half-time, including a penalty, as the Nuts & Bolts hit back from two goals down.

But the hosts moved clear after the break.

Walker said: “It’s always disappointing to lose a game but, as I’ve been saying, the results aren’t important.

“It’s the performances that matter and the way the lads show their mettle for whether they’re with us next year.

“We had a 16-year-old come on as sub and two 17-year-olds and two 18-year-olds starting. It’s fantastic experience for them.

“Everyone knows you need a strong spine of the team.

“That’s your keeper, a centre-half, a centre-midfielder and a centre-forward and then around that you can bring in kids or flair players who perhaps don’t work as hard.

“I’m pleased for Noah to get another two goals.

“He’s worked so hard and had so many chances and they’ve just not been going in but that’s three in two for him now.

“He’s missed a lot of chances but the pleasing thing for me is he’s working so hard to get in those positions.

“He’s only a kid still. He’s got time to develop that cool head in front of goal.”