Dulwich Hamlet set to make decision on new manager before the end of this week

Dulwich Hamlet are set to make a decision on their new manager this week.

Paul Barnes has been in interim charge of the National League South side since Gavin Rose was let go in early September.

Hamlet did not have a fixture last weekend but resume on Saturday with the visit of Hungerford Town.

“We’re being told there will be an outcome this week,” Barnes told the South London Press. “It’s needed. Everybody needs to know where they stand. Whether it is myself or a new manager, you need time over the next couple of months to put your plan in place.”

Barnes has already told our publication that he wants to be considered for the vacancy.

“For myself it has not been an interview but a series of informal chats about where we’re at and what plans I would put in place,” he said. “My interview has kind of been doing the job for the last five weeks. Everybody has got a good feel for me and what I’m all about.

“Whoever it is, they need to be able to put their mark on it. In the last five weeks the lads have been brilliant but it is not a squad I’ve assembled or that necessarily fits the way I want to do things.

“The good news for the weekend is that we have no injuries and people returning. We’ll probably have a fully fit squad for the first time since I’ve been here.

“We’ll probably have 20 players available as long as nobody picks up a niggle or a re-occurrence of an injury.

“Depending when the announcement is made there might be time for the new manager to do a little bit of business before the weekend. I’ve got ideas of some of the things I’d like to potentially do. It just depends how soon it is before Saturday, you’d like to get at least one training session with any new players coming in.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD