RICHIE Wellens has ruled himself out of the vacant Doncaster Rovers first-team manager role, stating his strong relationship with Swindon Town chairman Lee Power and the club’s supporters as key reasons behind his decision to remain in Wiltshire.

Wellens was installed as the 5/2 favourite by bookmakers SkyBet to take over from former Rovers’ boss Grant McCann, who on Friday was confirmed as Hull City’s new boss.

But the 39-year-old revealed to the Adver this morning that he has no interest in quitting his role as Town manager at this moment in time. 

However, he would not rule out a return to the Keepmoat Stadium in the distant future.

Wellens said: “I wanted loyalty off of some players towards the end of last season. And I think it’d be wrong of me not to show that loyalty back.

“I’m starting to build my own team now, which is difficult to get.

“We might lose three or four games on the bounce this season, and at that moment I will need the chairman, the players and the fans to support me.

“It’d be wrong of me to walk away at the first opportunity. If I was asked ‘would I like to manage Doncaster Rovers?’ – yes, I would.

“But that’s in years and years to come.

“I’ve got a very good job here, and I’m starting to bond with the supporters. I want that to get stronger, and it’s important that relationship continues to get stronger.”

Wellens took part in a charity five-a-side tournament in Doncaster yesterday, which featured Rovers’ striker James Coppinger.

He admits to having a soft spot for the club, regularly checking results amid his full-time commitments for Swindon.

But a strong working relationship with Town chairman Power is something the Town boss is keen to make the most of – particularly following his disastrous off-field time at Oldham Athletic two seasons ago.

“For bookmakers, it’s an easy one. I’ve played for Doncaster and have got a lot of time for the club,” said Wellens.

“I look out for the results at Doncaster, because I had a great time there as a player. Grant McCann has done a great job, he’s a young manager that likes to play expansive football – like myself.

“The thing that I’ve got is that I have a good job now. I found out very early in my management career that the most important thing at a football club is the relationship you have with your chairman.

“I had a previous chairman where I had a disastrous relationship (at Oldham) even though I’m quite easy to get on with.

“But I currently have a strong relationship with the chairman (Lee Power), and that relationship is getting stronger as time goes by.

“Lee has been great in pre-season, everything I have asked for he has more or less given me.

“Everything is pointing in the right direction.”