Thierry Henry and Rui Faria are two of the leading contenders to take over as manager at Aston Villa.
Frenchman Henry has refined his coaching credentials during a spell as assistant coach of the Belgian national team - a position he has held since 2016 - whilst Portuguese Faria has been assistant to Jose Mourinho in the last five positions that the Manchester United boss has held, before departing Old Trafford in May due to personal circumstances.
A name who has been ruled out, however, is that of current Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who firmly quashed any rumours that he may depart Glasgow after his side ran out 6-0 victors over St Johnstone on Sunday.
Villa hierarchy under pressure to appoint
Having sacked Steve Bruce on 3 October in the wake of their 3-3 home draw with Preston North End the evening before, a match they were leading 2-0 before going behind and then missing a last-minute penalty to seal the three points, the Villans are in a dire run of form that has seen them pick up only one win in their previous nine outings.
A 2-1 loss away to Millwall last time out under the guidance of caretaker manager Kevin McDonald saw them slip to 15th in the Championship table, and for a club that undeniably have aspirations of returning to the top level of English football many do not feel that they are currently equipped to do so.
They were of course so close to doing so last season at their first attempt following relegation from the Premier League, however, succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Fulham in the play-off final at Wembley.
A summer of instability off the field meant Bruce was unable to seriously add to his squad until late in the window amid the uncertainty over their future due to financial strike, and that period of difficulty has clearly taken its toll on the pitch in their current campaign.
Rookie set to take the hot seat
With Rodgers' self-distancing of the job, it now appears to be one of either Henry or Faria who will be appointed.
Despite both having extensive experience in the world of football - albeit in differing roles - neither have been the man wholly responsible for the decisions made at a club, and so both will likely take some time to truly find their feet.
Villa fans made their disdain for Bruce clear at the end of his reign at the club, and they will demand instant success in order to truly accept their new leader.
An inexperienced man may not be to the liking of all supporters of the historic club, however, both have been in-and-around the top echelons of world football for the past two decades.
Yet, for all the past achievements of both, there is only one achievement that will satisfy those with a love for Aston Villa - promotion.