Aston Villa intend to speak to other candidates for the manager's job this week, despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer firming up his interest in the vacancy.
Solskjaer made a positive impression on the board at his jet-setting job interview last Friday and has admitted he would take the Villa role if offered.
But chairman Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner still intend to carry out due diligence on more contenders, believed to include Norwich manager Paul Lambert, during the next few days.
It could be the end of the week or later before the club are in a position to make an announcement.
Lerner flew home to his family in America at the weekend, but is scheduled to return to Birmingham in the next few days as the search for Alex McLeish’s successor intensifies.
Solskjaer, who guided Molde to a 2-0 victory at Sandnes Ulf which keeps them second in the Norwegian league, remains prominent in the Villa frame.
However, despite the favourable reaction to his possible appointment from Villa fans, noises coming out of Norway suggest a move to Villa is by no means a done deal.
Solskjaer understands he is among several names under consideration and, although he is keen to manage in the Premier League, is prepared to be patient.
“It’s hypothetical, time will show,” he said. “Villa will speak with several candidates. But I’ve always said that I want to try it in the Premier League. That’s no secret.
“It’s tempting. As a player you want to go as far as possible, it’s the same as a manager. But I’m the only name that we know Villa has chatted with, maybe everything turns when the new names come out.”
Lerner and Faulkner are conscious of the importance of recruiting the right man this summer after regretting the appointments of Gerard Houllier and McLeish for different reasons.
Villa’s powerbrokers are disappointed the Solskjaer dealings have had to be played out so publicly in Norway following the angry response from Molde’s major financial investors.
Kjelle Inge Rokke, Solskjaer’s current chairman, is threatening to withdraw his backing from the Norwegian club who achieved their first championship in their 100-year history last season.
His furious stance and public criticism of last Friday’s meeting has forced Solskjaer into reluctantly divulging more than he or Villa are comfortable with at this stage.
In reply to questions from Rokke at the weekend, the 39-year-old manager admitted he would be tempted by the chance of managing Villa if he proves to be their first choice.
Solskjaer also admitted he would be keen to take his backroom coaches Mark Dempsey and Richard Hartis, while he is also interested in signing Molde star Magnus Wolff Eikrem.
Again speaking hypothetically, Solskjaer suggested next Monday’s Tippeligaen match against Honefoss could be his last in charge of Molde if he was offered the Villa job by Lerner.
“My answer was that if Aston Villa will have a new manager and they want me, and I agree, they cannot wait until after the season,” said Solskjaer.
“It will naturally take place in the Norwegian holiday. Most likely with Honefoss as the last match.
“A new manager must be in place from pre-season. It is the natural time.”
