Michael Wilde believes Craig Harrison could bring fresh ideas to Chester and has backed his former boss to succeed if landing the role.

The highly-successful former TNS manager was handed his chance in the National League last season at hometown club Hartlepool United, but sacked in February with Pools loitering on the edge of the relegation zone.

Having enjoyed a prolific time with TNS, Wilde bagged 46 goals in 66 appearances for Neil Young’s Chester between 2010-12 before returning for a second spell at The Saints under Harrison, where he netted a Champions League hat-trick against B36 Torshavn in July 2015.

The 34-year-old, now enjoying his football at Connah’s Quay Nomads, believes opposites could attract if Chester were to appoint Harrison, who is understood to have contacted the Blues about the vacancy since the initial application deadline.

“Craig is renowned for what he did at TNS but it would be a totally different ball game going in at Chester,” said Wilde, fresh from lifting the Welsh Cup last weekend with Andy Morrison’s Nomads.

“I know what the fans are like at Chester, they love their football and they want to see it played the right way, but they want winning football.

“It would be very different for Craig and he’d have to adapt quickly. Football works in strange ways sometimes and it can be good for someone to go into a club with a different viewpoint and I think he’d offer that.

“I’ve been keeping a keen eye on things at Chester because it’s a club that is close to my heart. I’m eager to find out who they go for and whether it’s a man manager, a head coach, or even a bit of both, because by the sounds of things the new man will have to be doing a few jobs!”

The former Middlesbrough, Preston and Crystal Palace defender was given money to strengthen Hartlepool last summer but the club were plunged into financial turmoil midway through the campaign, something Wilde believes contributed to Harrison’s dismissal, who has also been linked with the Telford United job.

“At Hartlepool things didn’t go his way,” Wilde continued. “Unless you’re in amongst what’s going on at that club day-to-day, it’s very hard to judge the job he did.

“A lot of people jump to their own conclusion that Craig wasn’t good enough.

“Of course, it’s different managing in the Welsh Premier League to the Conference, it’s more intense and a club like Hartlepool, they’re a big club.

“But I bet Craig learned more in his 11 months at Hartlepool than he did in six years winning titles with TNS. He’ll be a better manager for the experience I have no doubt about that.”

Wilde, Chester’s top scorer since reforming back in 2010, feels the main challenge for the new Deva boss will be to restore a ‘feelgood factor’ around the club, which has been largely lacking since the early days of Jon McCarthy’s ill-fated reign.

“Without doubt Chester can bounce back but the ethos needs to change,” he added.

“When we were there under Youngy, there was a buzz around the community. There’s genuinely nothing like it when Chester are doing well, it’s a great place to be around.

“For me, the club need to get the word out around town that there’s a team playing down the road and they need their support. Chester is a successful club when there’s a feelgood factor around the place, that’s the main challenge for the new manager.

“More than anything the football club needs to consolidate on and off the pitch. Depending on who they bring in there’s a chance they could bounce straight back form National League North, but if they don’t I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world. The club needs stability first and foremost.”