Colchester United close to appointing new head coach

That's the view of technical director Steve Ball, who has confirmed that the U's will be appointing an external candidate for the role.

Colchester are closing in on a new boss to replace Wayne Brown, who parted company with the club earlier this month.

And there is a chance he could be in charge for their game at AFC Wimbledon, on Saturday.

Ball says he has been impressed by the calibre of candidates who have been interviews for the vacant role.

And the current U's interim head coach says the club will be bringing in a 'hungry' manager, when the appointment is confirmed.

Ball said: "I very much think that the new head coach will be someone the fans will be excited about.

"There's been such a good process put in place and being a board member now, I've had that first hand which I hadn't before.

"I've sat in with these guys - there's been some brilliant presentations.

"What's really impressed me is the amount of knowledge that these people have got about our club.

"I do think that once it's made, we'll be appointing a really hungry manager ready to come and turn our season around."

JON WALDRON (Image: NEWSQUEST)

Colchester's new head coach will be tasked with turning around the club's fortunes, in League Two.

The U's are currently a point above the drop zone, having won just one of their opening ten games.

Ball said: "There's been such a thorough process, these past few days with regards to interviews.

"Like any process, it does take time.

"I had it in my head that it might be possibly one or two games and at the minute, it looks like two.

"But that might change as we move forward to the weekend.

"It's absolutely right to say that we're doing this process to appoint a new manager externally.

"That's going to happen - if it happens this weekend, then great.

"If not, then we go and win the game on Saturday and it'll be next week but it's pending."