That was the surprising news Stags chief executive Stephen Booth gave to Thursday night's fans forum.

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During various questions and answers on the manager's position, caretaker boss Paul Holland also admitted that he would have agreed with fans who initially questioned his appointment to replace Billy Dearden - even on a temporary basis.

And it was also revealed how members of the incoming owners, the Derry consortium, and players had all persuaded Mr Booth to extend Holland's caretaker manager's period to cover this weekend.

Mr Booth said at the forum, organised by the Stags Supporters Association (SSA): "Alex Ferguson called me last week, unsolicited, to say that we needed to go for experience.

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"That was all the advice that I was being given, to go for experience. It was a very difficult decision to get rid of Billy Dearden, maybe I left it a few weeks too long."

Mr Booth did not elaborate, but it may be that Fergie was calling to lobby for his friend and candidate Billy McEwan to get the job after Billy Dearden's departure.

McEwan made it clear to Chad that he wanted the job and was considered for the post along with Holland and, according to the chief executive, several other experienced managers, possibly including former Lincoln boss Jon Schofield.

Chad can though dispel rumours that former Sheffield Wednesday boss Chris Turner held discussions over coming to Field Mill. Turner, now director of football at Hartlepool, said on Thursday there was no truth in the suggestion that he was interested in the job when asked about the vacancy.

However, Mr Booth decided to extend caretaker Paul Holland's time in charge to cover this weekend - and he admitted again at the forum that if results and performances go well this weekend 'there will be no decision to make' and Holland will be given the chance to keep the Stags in the Football League.

Mr Booth went on: "Many people said I should go for an experienced manager, but then the performance at Hereford was like chalk and cheese.

"What Paul (Holland) and Carl (Muggleton) got out of the squad was amazing.

"That made me think again. A great number of high calibre managers applied . . . everyone was having a word in my ear to say go for experience.

"Then at Bradford there was, by all accounts, another superb performance.

"Jake (Buxton) rang me and said he would like to meet me. On Tuesday I met with five of the senior players and they said how things had improved.

"That was the final part of the equation.

"We have shown our endorsement of Paul (Holland) with the two new signings and it hasn't necessarily stopped there."

Mr Booth did admit that he had made a mistake immediately after Dearden's departure, saying after the Rochdale defeat that there would be an appointment within 48 hours.

"My initial statement that we we were looking to make an appointment in 48 hours was a mistake and I hold my hands up to that."

Holland - who will be given the job on a permanent basis if the Stags win on Saturday and continue their imnprovement in performances under his leadership at Bury on Monday - told the forum: "Not everyone will agree with my appointment, but I will give 100%.

"I am backing the lads and I am very positive, I am sure we will stay up.

"I know a lot of people said I was the wrong choice when Billy went, and probably rightly so. I would have probably said the same in their position.

"But I want this job, I want to be here until the end of the season.

"But I know that two good performances and games is not enough, the players must continue their improvement.

"We have let ourselves down over the season, now we have got to get it right over the last 10 games.

"I said on the Sunday (after Billy Dearden left the club) how I thought the club needed to go forward and the lads have backed me."

Captain Jake Buxton, who called for the senior players' meeting with chief executive Mr Booth to press the case for Holland, added: "I felt we needed Paul and Carl at this time. He (Paul) has been unbelievable.

"It is best for the club - not for Jake Buxton or Paul Holland - to keep him in charge now."

It was also made clear at the forum that the Derry consortium had pushed hard for money to be made available to bring in loan players now.
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