Steve Burr said being relegated with the Blues was the most depressing experience of his long career, confessing he wanted to ‘crawl under a stone’.
But the out-of-contract manager now feels more positive, putting his change in mood down to support from fans and encouraging discussions with the club’s hierarchy.
Burr told The Chronicle he wants to spearhead the club’s bid to return to the Conference Premier and constructive talks have taken place with chairman Tony Durkin and vice chairman Steve Ashton.
“After the game on Saturday, I wanted to crawl under a stone and be left alone,” said Burr.
“But what has helped me is all of the nice things people said on Saturday, and all the support I have received. It has been very encouraging.
“I have always been loyal and part of me feels that I don’t want to leave a ship that has gone down.
“I would like to stay with the club and if we can sort something out I think that will happen.”
Burr, who replaced Neil Young in January, came agonisingly close to completing his survival mission but two goals inside 60 seconds sent the club down.
Salisbury City snatched a 2-2 draw at the Swansway Chester Stadium through Jamie White, and Michael Rankine then hit a late winner for Hereford United at Aldershot Town.
Burr said: “It shows what can happen in football. It was frustrating but with three minutes to go we were a Conference Premier club.
“It was hard to take, really hard. But these things sometimes go against you and you have got to come back from it.
“It was certainly the most disappointed I have ever felt after a game of football.”
Durkin, Ashton and Burr have discussed budgets and plans for the future, which include turning full-time.
Although there are still matters to be resolved, all parties are keen to continue the relationship into next season.
“I have had a chat with them and it went very well,” said Burr.
“Football-wise it has been a frustrating time, but I like the club, I like the people at the club and there is a lot of potential.
“I have put my views across to Tony and Steve and we need to sit down again and see where we go.
“It’s going to be difficult to bounce back straight away but it is possible.”
Burr is one of the most respected managers in non-league football and is sure to be linked with other clubs, but the 54-year-old said he was willing to drop down and help the Blues make an instant return.
He said: “No disrespect to the Conference North, I have worked my up from that league and now I’m going back down.
“If it was with any other club then I would not do that but I will do it with Chester.”
