Andy Hessenthaler has revealed his desire to land the manager's job at Crawley and says he wants to take the club into the Football League.

The former Gillingham player-boss has told The Argus he has been interviewed for the vacant position by Reds owners Chas and Azwar Majeed.

The 41-year-old is one of five candidates believed to be in the frame.

The others include former Albion assistant Bob Booker, one-time Stevenage manager Graham Westley, ex-Farnborough boss Dean Austin and Alan Reeves, who was No. 2 at Brentford last season.

The Majeeds are expected to make a decision by the end of this week.

Hessenthaler is keen to get back into management after being released as a player by Barnet.

He said: "It is definitely something I am interested in and I would love the opportunity to take the job on. I have a non-league background so I know about Crawley. I played at their old ground when I was at Dartford years ago.

"Talking to them (the Majeeds), I know the club has had financial problems but they seem to be through the worst of it now and they have sorted themselves out.

"They are going in the right direction and they are very ambitious which suits me. I have had managerial experience in the Championship and feel it is the right time to get back into it. I would love to take a club like Crawley into the Football League. They have a great set-up and they are geared up to play at a higher level."

Hessenthaler would consider combining his managerial duties with playing if given the job.

He successfully juggled the two roles during his four years in charge of Gillingham, guiding the Kent club to their highest ever league position.

That would make him an attractive candidate for the Majeeds as he presents a two-for-the-price-of-one option.

Hessenthaler, who made 40 appearances in League Two last season, said: "I will probably not play but I have been saying that for the last few years.

"It would not hurt to register myself and then I would be available if needed. Squads are not the biggest nowadays so it would make sense to be able to play if and when it was required."

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