Swindon Town have been left with no manager in charge of the club despite their push into the League Two play-off places last season.

Their boss, Ben Garner, decided to leave the club to pursue a job at Charlton a league higher and has now left his former side without anyone in charge. However, as reported by the Wiltshire Times, Swindon have already begun their search for a new manager and have built up a shortlist.

Garner was appointed as boss last summer, when Town really needed a lift and the manager was able to give it to them. He managed to get them battling right up near the top six and eventually secured them a spot in the play-offs.

He was unable to lead them straight back into League One though, with the club losing to eventual winners Port Vale.

Now, they have to prepare for another season in the fourth tier - but they will have to do it and will have to push towards the promotion places again without their former leader Garner.

He will instead be trying to lead Charlton up towards the top end of League One and trying his luck in the third tier. Swindon though look as though they will be poised to appoint a new boss in due course, so that they can begin to plan for next season.

It seems as though they will be weighing up their options though - and that they also understand 'the urgency' to bring in someone ahead of pre-season, suggesting that a move could be made just in time for the club to truly prepare for the new campaign.

The Verdict

Swindon Town have been excellent over the course of the last campaign under Ben Garner, which is why it will be such a blow to see him depart now for Charlton.

You wouldn't be surprised to see him begin to lead the Addicks up the table in the third tier, especially considering his record for Town in League Two last season. Swindon will no doubt want to see him do well after what he has done for them, but will likely also feel disappointed to see him leave already.

Swindon though are probably taking the right approach it seems with their next appointment. The club cannot merely rush to bring in a new boss because time is closing in on them and have to ensure that they make a proper appointment. If they bring in the wrong man, it could undo all of the good work that has been done so far.

If they can weigh up their options and bring in another solid manager, then it could see them continue to make progress even with Garner now not at the club.