NELSON are in the hunt for a new manager following the departure of Denis Underwood.

The board released a statement this week saying that they and the manager "mutually agreed" to him leaving, but Underwood has expressed his disappointment that he hasn't lasted even a full season in the Victoria Park hot seat.

He said: "We are further up the league than we were when I took over but I believed this year would be when I had a look at players.

"You try to win every game but you also want to look at players in different positions with a view to next year. I felt there was no pressure to get results this season.

"When I was at Clitheroe I got sacked after I took them quite a way, but it only takes one bad start to a season and you're looking over your shoulder.

"Here I didn't think there was anything wrong, but I'm not going to be bitter. I'm planning to go along and watch them next season and speak to the people at Nelson if they speak to me.

"I've phoned a few players to thank them and there's a few that have phoned me."

Underwood's reign took a turn for the worse in his last game in charge before setting off on a business trip to South Korea.

This was at Stone Dominoes, where Underwood, who has also managed Great Harwood Town, only had 10 players and had to put himself in goal to make up the 11. They crashed to a 6-0 defeat.

He added: "We had 11 players plus me, but one of the lads injured his foot that morning and I was on the phone constantly as we were travelling to pick players up.

"Sometimes these things happen when you have a long trip towards the end of the season, but a fortnight before we went to Holker for a night game with a full squad.

"It's very disappointing but I haven't fallen out with anyone at the club and I wish them all the best."

The statement released by the Nelson board read: "Further to amicable discussions and dialogue regarding reciprocal concerns, it has been mutually agreed, in the best interests of the club, that Denis has relinquished his position as manager.

"The club is grateful to Denis for his contribution and continued development of the club during this difficult transitional period and acknowledges the commitment with which he fulfilled his responsibilities.

"We would like to extend our thanks to Denis and express our best wishes for the future."

A club spokesman also added: "Denis has done nothing wrong but it wasn't quite right and we want to take the club in a different direction."

Negotiations are currently under way with a potential new manager, while Underwood's assistant Ian Lang takes caretaker charge of the first team.

The first game following Underwood's departure brought a 2-0 home win against Cheadle Town on Saturday.