CHESTER City boss Mark Wright has begun the search for a new assistant manager after Steve Bleasdale’s shock departure.

Wright and Blues owner Stephen Vaughan asked the number two to “stay away” from Chester’s home match with Exeter City on Saturday.

Although he refused to be drawn on the reasons for Bleasdale’s exit, Wright confirmed after the 0-0 draw that he sees no way back for the man who was at his side when City won the Conference title in his first spell in charge of the club.

Wright, who returned to the Deva Stadium with Bleasdale as his right-hand man in November, said: “Steve Bleasdale has left the football club. I’m not happy with certain things and both the chairman and myself made the decision today and asked him to stay away.

“There are a few things we’re not happy about and we’ll just have to get on with it. There are some things behind the scenes which I feel very, very let down about and which I’m not prepared to elaborate on at this time.”

Wright was assisted for the clash with the Grecians by his predecessor Simon Davies, who is currently working as City’s youth team boss.

Wright could ask Davies to take over the assistant’s role on a permanent basis, although he has sounded out replacements for Bleasdale from outside of the club.

Wright said: “It’s always nice to have back-up, especially on match-days, and Simon has come in today and I like and trust Simon.

“He’s got the youth team but if he can be around and do little bits and pieces that would be OK because I do like him and he’s got a lot to offer.

“But I have spoken to two people on the outside so I’ve got to have a chat with the chairman to see where we take it. But as far as myself and the chairman are concerned, Steve Bleasdale won’t be coming back.”

Wright is set for a busy week after Vaughan’s declaration that Chester’s football-related debts have now been cleared.

That should lead to the transfer embargo imposed on the club being lifted, which would allow Wright to make the loan signings he believes will help City escape falling through the Football League trapdoor.

Wright’s men boosted their survival prospects on Saturday when they ended their six-game League Two losing run with a point against play-off pushing Exeter.

The Blues would have recorded a well-deserved first victory of 2009 had Richie Partridge and Ryan Lowe not missed sitters, but Wright was full of praise for his patched-up side.

He said: “For all the effort they’ve been putting in and after all the things that have been going on behind the scenes, it would have great to get a victory. But their battling qualities and the way they adapted to the shape we asked them to play was fantastic.”