Thursday 28 July 2011 13:19, UK
Geoff Thomas believes his former club face a difficult job in finding a successor to manager Dario Gradi.
Gradi, 70, took charge at Gresty Road in 1983 and managed the Alex for 24 years before returning for a second time in 2009. "Dario is Crewe and I'd find it difficult to see Crewe without Dario," Thomas told BBC Radio Stoke. "It's going to be a tough job, which we saw when people tried to take over before. They're tough shoes to fill." Ex-Crewe and England midfielder Thomas made more than 150 appearances during two spells at Crewe and has backed Gradi to lead the club to promotion from League Two this season. He added: "Fingers crossed Dario will get things under control and I can see them being one of the front-runners for promotion this year."