Alex boss says he will talk to Recruitment Manager after he was linked with Leek

David Artell has told the club’s official web-site that he wants to keep his head of recruitment, Neil Baker at the club after he was recently linked with a possible return to Leek as manager. Artell does not want to lose Baker, who has served previous managers Dario Gradi, Steve Holland, Gudjon Thordarson and Steve Davis as assistant manager during his long association with the Alex.

Artell is set to talk about Baker about his future plans, but he has reiterated that he does not want to lose the experienced recruiter this summer.

The Crewe boss told crewealex.net: “I will have conversation with Neil and see what his future plans are. I don’t want him to leave but if he feels that he wants another crack at management then he would leave with my best wishes, because Bake is a great guy.

“I have not spoken to him about Leek or what he is thinking. He is great at spotting a player and I want him to stay.”

Artell has dismissed the idea of Baker doing a dual role at both clubs going forward. He said: “It would be difficult because they would play Saturday and Tuesday and that is the days we would need him out watching players and games. It is unlikely that you can do both roles.”