JOHN McGovern admits Nottingham Forest are suffering a frustrating time in their search for a new manager – but pledged they would remain patient as they look to make the 'right' appointment.
Former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay, one of the men on the three-man shortlist named by Reds owner Fawaz Al Hasawi, yesterday distanced himself from the role.
While another, Steve Clarke, is not thought to be keen on the Forest role while he continues his own legal wrangle with West Brom, who have put him on gardening leave.
Gianfranco Zola, the third man on that list, remains a viable target, but is not thought to be keen on taking on a new role until the summer.
McGovern said the club have spread their search wider – but that it is a slow process.
"It is a frustrating time, there is no doubt about that. But we want to make the right appointment, not just a quick one," he said. "We are making contact with lots of people, with lots of agents. We are waiting for calls back; for news about whether people are interested.
"The problem we are dealing with is that there is a dearth of real quality managers out there who are available – at least managers who do not have problems with being on gardening leave or in legal battles with clubs.
"I do not want to talk about specific names, but there are obviously a number of people we have looked at who have issues to overcome.
"The question is when or if their situation is likely to change in the future. Would it be different in the summer?
"But we are talking to a number of people and hopefully we will make progress soon."
McGovern, who has taken on the role of ambassador at the club and is advising Al Hasawi in the quest to replace Billy Davies, is hopeful that things could happen quickly.
"It could be that we get a call today and things could move on quickly from there," he said. "But we want to make sure we get the right person. We know fans are impatient, that is understandable."
