KIDDERMINSTER Harriers chairman Richard Lane admits the club had no control over manager Adam Murray’s shock departure from the club.
Murray left his role as Harriers boss just three days after Kidderminster beat South Shields in the National League North play-off final.
The promotion-winning boss left Harriers to join Barrow with the two teams to meet in the National League next season after the latter suffered relegation from League Two last season.
Murray’s departure means Kidderminster are searching for a third permanent manager in the space of three seasons.
However, Lane hopes to provide an update to supporters soon regarding the club’s search for Murray’s replacement.
Lane said: “After speaking to Adam at length, I understand his rationale of why he wanted to take that challenge on.
“He had a clause in his contract and that clause was triggered by Barrow. We didn’t have much control over it.
“We love challenges here. It’s disappointing but I’m excited now. We’ve been inundated with CV’s.
“I didn’t realise how big and how attractive this club is. I’m bowled over by some of the CV’s and applicants.
“Hopefully there will be news soon.”
After Phil Brown took Harriers to the brink of the title in 2024/25, his replacement Murray achieved promotion in his one and only season at the helm.
And Lane wants the club’s new boss to immerse themselves in the culture of the club while producing good results on the pitch.
Lane added: “There’s always an edge to a manager and someone who’s got that desire to win and create team spirit.
“But also someone who can become immersed with our culture here and get in with the fans and the sponsors.
“But ultimately to make it happen on the pitch.”
Kidderminster’s most recent stay in the National League lasted just a single season.
However, Lane promised Harriers will compete in the National League next season and insists the club have learnt from previous failures.
Lane added: “The play-off final was a great occasion for everybody involved with Kidderminster.
“Our focus going forward is how do we survive in the National League?
“We’re very close to securing Aggborough as an asset and we want to develop that in the coming years.
“We need to balance the books and the best way of doing that is controlling our costs.
“We need to put as much money as we can from the budget into the playing team.
“To make sure we succeed next year and stay in the division which is where we failed last time.
“It’s a big jump and we’ve learnt from mistakes. I’ve got the scars from when we got promoted and then relegated.
“I know what we need to do, I know where the budget needs to be and nothing is going backwards in terms of costs.
“The commitment from me is to make sure we’re competitive.”
