Carty has steered the Green Machine to the cup finals for the past two years following on from Scott Kidd’s 17-year reign at the club that delivered seven cups and eight league championships.

On Sunday United bowed out of this year’s play-offs, going down 1-0 to Wodonga Diamonds.

“I have told the club that I can’t commit, that I’m not sure what I can or can’t do next year so it’s in their hands now,” he said.

“There is no obvious heir apparent ... we haven’t groomed anyone.

“We have made a point of developing coaches in our junior ranks and there are plenty who have the ability — it’s whether they have the time to do it.”

Carty said the demands on senior coaches was in excess of 20 hours a week.

“It’s at all times of the day and night — training, playing, preparing for drills or simply talking things over with the players or individuals,” he said.

Carty said he believed United would continue to be a force in the coming years.

“We have a strong group coming through the thirds at the moment and the seconds finished with the league title,” he said.

“On Sunday we played a group of 17-year-olds at the back and there are at least five others knocking on the door for seniors.”

Carty said United had dominated possession for large parts of Sunday’s cup quarter final.

“I thought we were good on Sunday but their keeper had a blinder,” he said.

“We got to a header late in the game that looked beyond him and touched one onto the bar in the first half as well.

“But at the end of the day you have to score.”

Carty believes the heat will play a role in deciding the cup winner.

“It’s Twin City’s to lose but Diamonds were good on Sunday and then picked up a few injuries and cards so I don’t know where that leaves them,” he said.

“Melrose has a side that is capable of anything on their day.

“I think we saw on Sunday that the heat will have a say, particularly in the last 10 minutes of each half when players start to tire.”