Grimsby Town's board of directors have released a statement today confirming there is no imminent announcement in their search for a new manager.

The struggling League Two club have been searching for a new manager since dismissing Russell Slade ten days ago. There have been rumours of former Southend manager Phil Brown being approached, but he is alleged to have turned the offer down.

Slade's assistant Paul Wilkinson is in temporary charge of the ailing club, but he has failed to earn a solitary point in his two games in charge. The Mariners winless run goes back to December 9th when they overcame Forest Green 1-0. Since then they've lost nine and drawn four, a run which has seen them slide towards the foot of the table.

The Mariners only regained their Football League status 18 months ago after a six-year absence, but their first season back saw them lose manager Paul Hurst, hire and fire Marcus Bignot before bringing in former boss Slade. He didn't last a year before being dismissed, a move which has left fans bewildered at where the club might turn next.

Macclesfield Town boss John Askey is being heavily linked with the job, he's guided the Silkmen to top spot in the National League, capping a wonderful run with a 4-1 win away at Tranmere Rovers last night. Also in the frame is Boston United manager Craig Elliott and Wilkinson, despite his current poor run.

Despite the terrible run, the Mariners are 18th and still nine points clear of the final relegation place. That won't be any comfort to their suffering fans though, they'll be wanting to see green shoots of recovery in the very near future.

The Verdict

The Mariners are in a bad way and must arrest the slide as soon as possible.

The problems at the club extend much further than the dugout though and it is highly unlikely John Askey would jump ship for a club he could be swapping places with in three months time.

Chairman John Fenty says the next appointment is the most important in the club's history.

He's not wrong.