TONY MCMAHON admitted that he was ‘absolutely devastated’ to hear that former York City manager Michael Morton had been sacked.

Morton was dismissed of his role after York began their Vanarama National League season winless in their first six, with the Uggla family feeling the club would be in a better position to move in a different direction in the managerial hotseat.

McMahon affirmed that he had no interest in the job on a permanent basis, after being announced as the club’s interim manager, and paid tribute to former boss Morton.

“We were really close, and I was absolutely devastated after they had their initial meeting with the owners.” McMahon told the Press.

“Mikey came in and told us and it was like ouch, because I know behind the scenes how much work he does, and that he did do for the players and for the football club, and for everyone.

“Mikey wanted this to work more than anyone, being a local lad, being a fan of the club, he wanted that to work.

“He tried everything, he worked so, so hard behind-the-scenes and gave the players everything, but at the end of the day they didn’t get the results that we all wanted, we were all in it together. 

“So my initial reaction was that I was absolutely devastated.

“No, I’m definitely not (interested in the job). 100 per cent not.

“I’ve just been put in this position to do a job, and I’ll be professional and do what’s asked of me.

“Obviously the start of the week on Monday was really disappointing.

"We’ve lost a game of football and looking back on the game there were a lot of big decisions that have gone against us.

“I’m not going to sit here and make excuses about the game, we’ve lost and on the back of that have also lost our manager.

“He was a massive part of what we were doing, so I am really, really disappointed.

“Mikey gave us everything, he put everything into the job and he wanted to do really well.

“I think that when he takes time to look back, he can look back in a really positive way.

“Starting from last season, he got put in charge of a difficult situation and was asked to do a job that was keeping this club in the league.

“When a lot was going against the football club, there was a lot of negativity going around the place and he gelled it together.

“He did the job that was asked of him, that was to keep the club in the league, and he’s done that, so I’m sure he’ll be disappointed and having spoke to him I know that he is.

“I think personally he can look back on it with a lot of pride, he’s done the job that was asked of him last year.

“He got put in charge and we wanted to do it how Mikey wanted to do it, he’s got his ways, he’s got brilliant ideas and it takes time.

“Football as we know it, sometimes you don’t get the time and it’s a results business, Mikey will be the first one to say that results haven’t gone our way and he knows the consequences off of the back of it.

“We’re all really gutted for him and have got to move forward now, and as a club together we’re going to need everyone, from players to staff, to keep the club together and see what direction we go next.”

McMahon also confirmed that he had no qualms about taking the new role, and that he would give his all in the job.

The interim boss is taking it a day at a time, and admitted he isn’t certain about how long he will remain in the role for.

“I have been put in a position where all I can control is the next three days, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, that is the only thing I am in control of.

“I’ve been asked to do a job, and that’s what I’ll do.

“It came straight after the game, the owners asked me if I could step up and step into the role.

“I have no qualms about doing it, I’m a professional person and have got to do the job that’s asked of me.

“That’s what they’ve asked me to do, so that is what I will do.

“I’ll set the team up, we’ve got a clear plan and I’ve got a plan in place of what I want to do on Thursday, and today we implemented that, Friday to implement the game plan and then to go there and try to win the game on Saturday.

“I’m not in control of what can happen after that, the owners will make a decision, but I’m in control of the next three days only.

“No (indication of how long he’ll be in charge for), and I don’t think anybody knows in football.

“I’ve been in this position before with Scunthorpe, I remember they said I’d be in charge for three games, and then I took training for Thursday and there was a new manager for the Friday.

“I’m really professional in what I do, I’ve been asked to do a job, and yes it’s a difficult job because it’s come off of the back of a good person losing their job, which I didn’t want.

“I don’t want to be in this position, but I’ve been put in this position.”