McPhillips ready to stay in charge of Blackpool at Shrewsbury

Hero Nottingham's goal to keep his Blackpool place

Interviews for the vacant post have taken place this week, with Richie Wellens and Owen Coyle continuing to look like the frontrunners for the job.

Wellens was in the stands for Tuesday night’s 2-1 home win, while Coyle has also been spotted entering Bloomfield Road for further talks with Owen Oyston and chair Natalie Christopher.

But it’s been business as usual for McPhillips, who will take training today and – unless told otherwise in the next 24 hours– is planning to take charge at the New Meadow tomorrow.

He said: “They’re obviously looking and I think the interview process has started.

“We’ll just wait and see, and we’ll deal with each game as it comes. We’ll deal with Saturday and see where we are on Monday.

“The plan is to remain in charge until I’m told differently, so I’m really looking forward to taking training on Friday.

“I’m not looking forward to picking the team and disappointing a few lads – that’s probably why I like being number two.

“But that’s what me and staff will do, and we will try to do it on merit to pick a team that wins the game.

“There have been no changes (from how he was working with Gary Bowyer). We’ve just cracked on. It’s as simple as that and the lads have been superb.”

McPhillips has made it clear he isn’t interested in the role himself, having previously said he only came to the club to work as assistant to Bowyer.

The former Blackburn Rovers man enjoyed the midweek win but refused to be drawn on whether it had changed his mind.

He said of the cup win: “The lads made the atmosphere. The players helped the fans and the fans helped the players.

“It was a terrific night and I really enjoyed it, but we will just stick together and see what happens.”

When asked by The Gazette if he would be interested in remaining at the club as a number two, McPhillips said: “That depends on who it is, to be fair. We’ll have to wait and see.”