Fitton believes the power to motivate is the key for a successful boss

Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton expects to talk to potential replacements for departed manager Maurice Malpas this week, with long-term stability the aim.

Fitton told BBC Radio Wiltshire he is expecting up to 50 applications.

"The important thing is to find five or six people who could really do this," he said.

"I didn't want to be a chairman agreeing that a manager should go after less than a year. I genuinely hope the next appointment is for a long time."

Malpas left the club last week by mutual consent following a disappointing start to the season that saw just four wins from 14 games.

Following the departure of Malpas, Swindon are now searching for their sixth full-time manager in just over three years, Iffy Onuora, Dennis Wise, Sturrock and Malpas all having been at the helm since Andy King left in September 2005.

But Fitton reckons that the club is in a better position to get the appointment right this time.

"We're a bit more experienced this time round and some of the same names have come up this time as last time so, in a sense, we know a lot more of where we are," he said.

"You learn and try to move forward and you try to make the right steps for the club if you think something is not quite right.

"You put your hand on the tiller and move it slightly in the right direction, and that's what we are doing."

The difference between the good managers and the ordinary managers is the ability to motivate. It is not the coaching ability. They are all good coaches nowadays. Swindon Town chairman Andrew Fitton

"There is a big relationship issue here. It has got to be someone you can get along with, who you can talk to and who is going to fit in with the other people at the club.

"Some of the obvious choices may not be obvious choices when you look at it from that perspective.

"It is really important that the person who comes here wants to be here and wants to do something for Swindon in the long term.

"We have to accept that some people will use this as a stepping stone. I can accept that, but if we are going that way then they have to produce results too.

Fitton identified one quality he says is vital for the new managerial role.

"The difference between the good managers and the ordinary managers is the ability to motivate," he said. "It is not the coaching ability. They are all good coaches nowadays. They are all well qualified.

"I am absolutely convinced that the one key ingredient is motivation.

"I think this is a good job now in football. It is a football club that has been largely turned around from a financial and commercial point of view.

"It is a well run organisation. It has got a proper stadium. It has got a reasonable squad of players.

"I would expect a reasonable number of managers to want to come here."

Assistant manager Dave Byrne, who took over for almost two months when Paul Sturrock left a year ago, prior to the appointment of Malpas, has again been placed in caretaker charge.

"I am very happy the team is in good hands with David Byrne," said Fitton. "On the one hand, I think it could be a quick process but if it is not, we're not particularly concerned."

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