Holland will not return - Gradi

Dario Gradi stepped down as Crewe boss in the summer of 2007

Crewe Alexandra caretaker manager Dario Gradi has revealed that former boss Steve Holland will not be returning to the club in a coaching capacity.

The Crewe board had hoped that Holland would remain with the club following his removal as first-team coach.

But Gradi told the club website: "I accept that it is unlikely that Steve will come back as a coach.

"Steve will be going elsewhere and it will be an outsider who will have to come in and take the club forward."

Gradi also confirmed to BBC Radio Stoke that, after four games as caretaker to date (three league defeats and an FA Cup win at Carlisle), he will still be in charge for Saturday's visit of Swindon Town.

"I'm as certain as I can be that I'll be taking the team on Saturday," said Gradi.

"The search for a new manager is progressing. We are not standing still.

"The chairman knows the criteria the new man should meet. Finding people who meet that criteria is the first job and then we will look to interview some people."