Heathcote offered to step down following his side's relegation from the Conference top flight.

But the Robins wants Heathcote and assistant Dalton Steele to stay on at Moss Lane to try and lead the club back up from Conference North.

Heathcote, a long-serving former player of the club, had guided Altrincham up from the Unibond League to the Conference in his four years in charge.