WEYMOUTH assistant boss Neil McNab admits he will leave the Wessex Stadium with a "heavy heart" when he flies out to take up a coaching role in America tomorrow.

Steve Claridge's number two is to quit the high flying Terras to start a three-year contract teaching football to locals in Atlanta, Georgia.

But McNab, who took up his temporary post with the club in the summer after being sacked as Exeter boss last season, has nothing but praise for the Wessex Stadium outfit ahead of his departure.

He told Echosport: "I had a pretty rough time when I was manager at Exeter and I still don't think four months in charge was long enough to prove myself.

"I was feeling pretty low before Steve got in touch about coming to Weymouth but I'm really glad he did now. These past few months have restored my appetite for the game and I can't praise Steve and the chairman Ian Ridley enough.

"When the news came through that my visa had arrived, I should have been happy but I had mixed feelings. While on one hand, it will be a new lifestyle and a less pressured life for me, I'll definitely be going with a heavy heart. I came very, very close to staying here."

McNab, a former Scottish international and Manchester City and Spurs star, added that he felt Claridge will become a top manager in years to come.

"Steve has become a good friend over the years from our time working together at Portsmouth and again at Weymouth.

"He has a great grasp of tactics, is enthusiastic and knowledgeable and I'll certainly be back to follow Weymouth's fortunes when I have a break from America."

McNab added: "Ian has also been fantastic to deal with and I would just like to thank him for having faith in me after my rough time at Exeter. After that experience, it has been so nice to see such an honest chairman which is rare in football.

"I'm certain Weymouth as a club are going places in Steve's and Ian's hands and I wish them all the best for the future."

Ridley praised McNab's professionalism and coaching methods and said Claridge would be speaking with potential replacements over the next week.

"We're immensely sad to be seeing Neil go because he has been instrumental in what we are trying to achieve. The players have responded to his excellent coaching and we extend our thanks for his work.

"Steve has one or two people he is considering for the job and he'll be speaking to them in the near future. In the meantime, Gary Borthwick will become temporary assistant for Saturday's trip to Hinckley."