SWINDON Town chairman Lee Power admits he was surprised by the timing of former manager, Richie Wellens’ departure to Salford City earlier this week.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire, Power discussed the recent events that saw Wellens’ controversially seal a move to the League Two side.

Revealing he blocked the Ammies’ first approach for the Mancunian after receiving an email from club hierarchy, Power said he was helpless to stop Wellens from moving due to a clause in the former boss’ contract which stated he should be allowed to talk to other club as long as compensation was met.

Power also suggested one of the key factors for Wellens’ switch to Salford was the relative stability the Lancashire club could provide compared to Town.

On Wellens’ departure, Power said: “As a winner, I think there were a number of things that frustrated Richie recently.

“It surprised me, the timing of it more than anything. It had been in the papers for a number of weeks, but I’d had no contact with Salford.

“Then it seemed to come a little bit of the blue because I thought that interest would have gone away.

“But once Salford came in for him, all I could do was wish Richie and his family well.

“He came in and did the job for us, we did everything we could as a football club, I enjoyed my time with him, and you move on.”

With no permanent manager appointed yet, assistant manager Noel Hunt has been tasked with taking the next few games by the Town chairman as the club looks for “a bit of breathing space” to make the right appointment.

Power said he has received “a ridiculous amount” of interest already, including from people who have applied for the job in the past.

The Town chairman said: “There’s been a ridiculous amount of people putting their name forward – there always is.

“It’s a good job for someone, I’ll always say that. It’s well-located, well-supported and the football club is well respected. In football, people want to manage here.

“There’s actually a number of managers that I’ve offered the job to in the past that now want to take it because their circumstances have changed. You don’t hold that against people.

“Paul Jewell has been holding the fort down and dealing with agents and that side of it, and trying to give Noel Hunt every opportunity we can to get through the Cup on Saturday.

“After that, we’ll go through everything and see what pans out.”