Paul Murray is preparing Latics to take on Altrincham for a place in the FA Cup first round proper this weekend, assisted by former Latics winger Nicky Adams.

Academy manager Murray and Adams, who has returned to Boundary Park as development squad head coach, have stepped up to new interim roles following the departure of both caretaker boss Steve Thompson and Neil Redfearn, although Adams will be not be in the dugout this weekend as he has player commitments with current club Radcliffe.

Thompson had been in the running to fill the vacant manager's seat on a more permanent basis after engineering a six-game unbeaten run as caretaker.

It was after the win at Kidderminster - Latics' third in a row - that Shaw-born Thompson declared his intention to leave a legacy at his boyhood club by saying he wanted the full-time manager's job "100 per cent".

He added: "Ideally I want the job, and all I can do is keep getting results.

"When you've got a team like that, who give you everything, that means everything to me. And the staff have been brilliant, Redders (Neil Redfearn), Muzza (Paul Murray), Steve (Collis) - they've all contributed."

Asked if he would like the job on a more permanent basis, Thompson said: "Yes, 100 per cent, I love the club."

The former Bolton, Leicester and Burnley midfielder was placed in interim charge in September following the departure of David Unsworth. In six unbeaten games Latics picked up 12 points from a possible 18, scoring 11 goals - at least one a game - and conceding just four.

However, Thompson left after a meeting with board members on Tuesday and will not be returning to the club in any capacity.

The former Blackpool, Preston and Leeds United assistant had initially been appointed at Boundary Park as the club's head of recruitment last November.

Latics have yet to announce Unsworth's successor but Micky Mellon and Gary Bowyer remain names in the frame.