Swingeing changes have been pledged by Neil Thompson should he get the task of leading York City permanently.

Craig Skinner is blocked by two Manchester City defenders

Despite immense despair at York's relegation at Maine Road the forthright Thompson re-affirmed his desire to be at the helm of the Minstermen into the next century.

He said the task to clamber free of the basement started now and he promised that he would not be afraid of initiating major upheaval to ensure City got back to a higher division.

"I want this job and I feel I can bring something to making a success of the job," he declared. "I hope the decision will be sorted out quickly for the good of the club so that we can all move forward quickly."

Thompson insisted that should his caretaker role be upgraded to the permanent post then some players' futures would be in doubt at Bootham Crescent. He said: "If I do get it the job then there will be big changes and whether that makes me unpopular, so be it. But we have all got to take responsibility for what's happened and if I am given the chance then it will be totally different next year."

Thompson forecast a more robust approach would be needed for City to cope with the different demands of life in Division Three. "I am sure we will need a more physical approach. We have got to have the right balance because it has to be turned around and that's got to be something that starts in the next week or two."

Of the drama that sent the Minstermen spiralling into the basement after appearing in the bottom four for just the last seven minutes of the campaign, Thompson was scathing about City's overall campaign. "It's not about one day here at Manchester City. It's been about all season," he said. "We've got to face the music and we've just not been good enough. The league tables don't lie."

He said the dressing-room atmosphere was quiet, and not just because of the gut-wrenching fall from grace. "It was also because I was telling the players a few home truths," said Thompson.

"People have got to be honest and realise that hard work is not a dirty word. We are in the Third Division and the reason for that is we have not been good enough. We are now Third Division players until we prove different."

City's Maine Road man-of-the-match Scott Jordan took up the manager's theme by declaring that the relegation was all City's fault.

"I don't think anyone expected it and I don't think it will sink in until we see those final tables in the newspapers," said Jordan. "But it's been all down to us. We let ourselves down after Christmas and left ourselves far too much to do."

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