WELLING general manager Graham Hobbins has claimed the new manager will need to rebuild the club "from top to bottom".

The Wings sacked Paul Parker from the position on December 8 and put coach Liam Daish and assistant boss Nigel Gurney in charge for the 2-1 win at Redbridge.

But after four managers in as many years since their relegation from the Nationwide Conference, Hobbins has vowed to take his time before making the next appointment.

Hobbins said: "The club needs to be rebuilt. We’ve let the supporters down in the last couple of years and with the results lately, especially at home."

The Wings had already received 20 applications by Monday, including seven from potential managers who are at other clubs.

Hobbins said: "We are completely open-minded, it’s up to people to impress us enough so we believe that they can do the right things for the club."

The choice is likely to come down to current Margate manager Chris Kinnear, Chatham’s former Dover boss Clive Walker and the inexperienced duo of Phil Handford and Adrian Pennock, who are currently assistants at Margate and Gravesend respectively.

Walker’s age may count against him if Hobbins wants a rebuilding job while a manager who lacks experience could falter as Welling look to lift themselves up the table, leaving Kinnear – who Welling have previously tried to lure to the club – as the outstanding candidate again.

Hobbins said: "Chris hasn’t applied for the job at the moment but he is at another club so it would be unfair to talk about him."

Other applicants include former Gillingham coach Wayne Jones, but Hobbins warned fans not to read too much into former Welling players Mike Rutherford and Gary Abbott watching games lately while Redbridge’s Craig Edwards, Carshalton’s Billy Smith and Erith & Belvedere’s Barry Lakin have all been ruled out.

The Wings were left with little option but to relieve Parker of his duties following the 3-0 defeat to Eastbourne, a third home reverse inside nine days.