MACCLESFIELD FC manager Alex Bruce has left the club to take up a coaching role with an EFL side.
The Silkmen made the announcement of his shock departure in a brief statement which said: “Whilst being disappointed that Alex has decided to leave the club at this stage of the season, we wish him well in his future career.
“A further statement will be communicated regarding our new coaching team in due course.”
Bruce, 39, has taken up a role on the coaching staff of League Two side Salford City, managed by Karl Robinson.
Bruce only arrived at the Leasing.com Stadium at the end of October, succeeding Mark Duffy in the hotseat.
During his time as boss Macc won nine of his 15 league games in charge – drawing three and losing three.
He departed with the club in the final play-off spot in the Northern Premier League – and only two points behind second place Hyde United.
His final game in charge at Macclesfield was a 5-3 home win against Ilkeston Town.
Bruce, who has previous Football League coaching experience as part of the backroom staff at West Brom, also led the Silkmen to the to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy, where they will host Southern Central League side Coalville Town.
That game will take place on Saturday March 9 with a bumper crowd expected. Macclesfield booked their place in the last eight with a 2-0 away win at National League South side Hampton and Richmond Borough.
More than 400 Silkmen supporters made the journey to South West London to mark another memorable day for the club, who are now just two games from a historic Wembley appearance.
Speaking before his departure Bruce described it as “one of those really good days.”
He added: “From the first minute to the very last we totally dominated the game.”
And he told the club’s official website: “I said to the players why can’t you play like that every week because they’ve shown especially in the cup this season against teams in the league above what we are capable of.
“It’s about doing in on a consistent basis and if we do, if we can achieve that, it could be a really good season for all involved.”
Bruce also spoke of his confidence in the squad in both the Trophy and league campaigns. He said: “With the group that I’ve got, there’s no reason we can’t carry on going.”