Saints manager Steve Lomas has left the club, opening the door for Dennis Greene to take charge.

STEVE Lomas has quit as manager of St Neots Town Football Club.

Former Manchester City and West Ham player Lomas, who steered the Saints to second in the UCL Premier last season during his 15 months in charge, said he would be looking for a Football League club to manage.

While Saints chairman John Deleany was well aware of Lomas’ intentions to leave The Hunts Post Community Stadium, he was surprised that his former manager had announced he was looking for an alternative employer.

“We are always professional in the way that we conduct our business and we consider these remarks to be premature and feel that they do not fully reflect the extent of the discussions that we have had with Steve over the last couple of months,” Delaney told The Hunts Post.

“We have been aware that Steve’s personal circumstances have changed significantly in the recent past and we have shown a great deal of patience and have given him our full support during these difficult times.

“We have had concerns how this may impact on his ability to lead the club at a time when everyone’s commitment must be total.

“Steve was also concerned about the commitment that he could make.

“At a meeting between Steve and the directors last week, it became apparent that the situation was unworkable and therefore a change had to be made.

“As the club and Steve have enjoyed a mutually beneficial working relationship, both parties were saddened by this outcome but Steve had intimated that he would continue to assist the club whenever possible and we had been exploring various scenarios including getting him working on our ‘football in the community’ scheme.

“But we had already jointly agreed that it was in the clubs interests for him to step down.”

Lomas told The Hunts Post yesterday: “In 15 short months I’ve learnt a hell of a lot at St Neots. The people there have shown real kindness, but I needed to be up front with club chairman John Delaney.”

However, he admitted that he would be “forwarding his CV for the right job”.

“I would not be giving the job my all if I continue along this route. I feel able to manage at a higher level if the right job becomes available, but will always appreciate what the club, players and fans have done for me at St Neots.”

The Saints, who thanked Lomas for his hard work with the club, have moved quickly to promote Dennis Greene from assistant into the top job – putting their succession plan into place.

“When Dennis Greene came in he earned our respect through his hard work, commitment, knowledge and attitude and it was always our plan to offer him the job, which he readily accepted,” said Delaney.

“Dennis has been fully involved in the retention and recruitment of new players. He has been involved in all football-related policy decisions since last March. We believe that this has provided us with a stable platform with minimal disruption, if any, to our plans.”

Tony Scully has been appointed as player coach to Greene who described his new role as “my dream job”.