Chairman Keith Morris confirmed yesterday that interviews with "a number of quality people" had been held on Monday and Tuesday, and that a final series of interviews were due to be held last night.

"We hope to be able to complete things by tonight," he said yesterday. "We have seen several excellent candidates, and making a choice will be hard.

"But is essential we appoint a new man as quickly as possible so he can make a decision on players for next season."

The club advertised the post in the Non-League Paper, which produced a healthy response, although applications began to be received as soon as Morsley's departure was made public last week.

The club had to react swiftly as none of the players are on contract for next season, and the urgent first job for the new manager will be to start talks with them.

So far only Matty Clements has said he will not be playing for AFC next season as he has decided to retire from the game.

Clements went on to the club website to thank the fans for their support during his brief stay.

"Despite it only being a short spell of six months, I enjoyed my football again and experienced some happy times at the club," Clements wrote on the fans' forum.

"The legs aren't as quick as they used to be, and I have new work interests to follow, so my boots are hung up."

Morsley made his decision to resign, after two successful seasons at the club, on Wednesday morning last week following a meeting with directors the night before.

A budget for next season had previously been agreed but, in view of injuries and results over the last few weeks of the season, Morsley sought an increase.

"I asked the directors for an increase in the budget for a bigger squad," he said. "I felt we needed it for next season."

When the board did not agree to this, Morsley considered the situation overnight, and then rang the chairman on Wednesday to tender his resignation.

The club put out a statement on Wednesday night expressing disappointment at his decision.

Club secretary David Webb said: "It's important Sudbury fans realise the budget was not being cut. But we were not prepared to fund the extra amount Mark wanted."

The club cannot use any of the money raised from the sale of Sudbury Town's Priory Stadium for the playing budget because of a covenant on the land.

The money will be used to improve facilities at King's Marsh – clubhouse, dressing rooms, and premises for the Grassroots section – and plans are shortly to be announced.

In his two seasons at King's Marsh, former Needham Market manager Morsley guided AFC to a division one north play-off final and a play-off semi-final.

The first season saw a good run in the FA Trophy, and last season AFC reached the League Cup final, knocking out premier division champions Chelmsford City on the way.

"I don't have another job lined up," he said, "and I am disappointed that I'm not going to finish the job I started.