Reports suggest Darren Ferguson is set to take over as manager of Coca-Cola Championship club Preston.
The 37-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Peterborough in November and now he appears to be on the brink of replacing Alan Irvine at Deepdale.
- Preston fixtures
- Championship table
Irvine, 51, was surprisingly shown the door last week despite saving the Lancashire outfit from relegation in 2007/08 and guiding them into the play-offs last season.
Lilywhites chairman Derek Shaw on Tuesday revealed Ferguson heads a shortlist of five candidates.
Shaw told Sky Sports News: "Darren Ferguson has excellent credentials and we would be silly not to want to see him.
"We have spoken to representatives of a couple of the other (targets) and we want to get this decision right and we want it sooner rather than later."
Source: PA