With Saturday's away game against Lincoln City likely to be John Ramshaw's last as Torquay United caretaker manager, we will now look at a number of possible permanent replacements for Paul Cox.
Whether they are part of the 129 applicants for the position remains open to conjecture.
Martin Ling -
One of the most popular and successful Gulls' managers of recent times, in his two years in charge at Plainmoor Ling led United to the Play-offs in League Two during the 2011-12 season with a fifth placed league finish, on the back of a strong defensive record that saw the Gulls keep 23 clean sheets over the course of the campaign.
He has previous experience of managing in the Conference during his time as Cambridge United and - in difficult circumstances - he led the U's to a ninth placed league position in the 2009-10 campaign; this was their highest league finish during their time in the Conference aside from their Play-off final appearances in 2008 and 2009 and the season they eventually won promotion in the 2013-14 season.
Any fears over his health, after he was diagnosed with depression after being off sick from January 2013 until the end of the 2012-13 season, should be allayed by the fact he was given a clean bill of health to return to work shortly before his dismissal. Also Neil Lennon has also managed Celtic and Bolton Wanderers successfully after being diagnosed with the same condition.
Alex Russell -
Following the departure of Chris Hargreaves during the summer, some Gulls fans may feel slightly alarmed at the idea of a first time manager taking charge. However, Russell - the midfield lynchpin of Leroy Rosenior's promotion winning side of the 2003-04 season - does possess some of the qualities required to manage in the Conference.
Since ending his playing career in 2012 with Bath City, Russell has gained further coaching experience at Bristol City in both their youth academy and as a development coach. He has also worked as assistant manager at Tranmere Rovers and Southport in the National League.
With contacts across the South West and in the North West as well, Russell has the contacts to bring the kind of players needed to improve the Gulls fortunes, but his lack of experience could well count against him.
Neil Aspin -
Shortly before Paul Cox's departure as Gulls manager, Aspin became the first manager in the Vanarama National League to leave his post when he was dismissed as FC Halifax Town boss.
After a playing career that saw him make a name for himself as a no-nonsense defender with Leeds United and Port Vale, Aspin first made his name as manager in non-league football with Harrogate Town before taking over the reformed Shaymen and he led them back into the Conference in the 2012-13 season, and then to the Conference Play-offs in the first season back in the top tier of non-league football in the subsequent campaign.
Steve Tully -
Former Gulls' player and youth coach Tully, who hails from Brixham, has built a fine reputation in South West non-league circles with Truro City. Tully led the White Tigers to promotion to the Vanarama National League South, after a Southern League play-off final victory over Chesham United last season, and they are currently holding their own following their promotion.
It is quite possible that the United job has come up too soon for Tully and it might be worth keeping an eye on his future progress at Treyew Road.
Gary Waddock -
During United's first season in the Conference in the 2007-08 campaign, they were beaten to the Conference title by an Aldershot Town side managed by Gary Waddock. Since then, former Queens Park Rangers, Millwall, Luton Town and Republic of Ireland midfielder Waddock has enjoyed success as a league manager with Wycombe Wanderers, who he led to promotion from League Two in the 2010-11 season.
He has also held coaching roles at MK Dons and Portsmouth and has also had a spell in charge of Oxford United, and any interest he might have in the Gulls' job could depend on his willingness to drop down into the Conference again.
