Harry Redknapp heads to Filbert Street for more talks today as he closes in on the manager's job at Leicester.
Redknapp is the firm favourite to land the post after the dismissal of Peter Taylor with George Graham, the other serious contender, hampered by a compensation claim against his former club Tottenham.
Former West Ham manager Redknapp, currently the director of football at First Division Portsmouth, said initial talks had gone well and he is clearly intent on regaining a position in the Premiership.
But Graham has emerged as the clear fans' favourite, polling four times as many votes than Redknapp in a vote on Foxes fans' website www.thebluearmy.co.uk.
Graham had talks with Foxes chairman John Elsom on Thursday and the club are reportedly ready, willing and able to match his pay demands.
A third big-name candidate has emerged in Dutchman Wim Jansen, who has worked as a scout out of the public eye since leaving Celtic shortly after leading them to the Scottish Premier League title in 1998.
However, it is understood that none of the other applicants are likely to be considered unless both Graham and Redknapp are ruled out of the running.
Elsom has promised the new man will not be forced to dismantle the present Leicester squad in order to generate transfer cash.
"Obviously, we want the new manager to have the strongest possible squad to work with and so it is very important that our best players stay at the club," Elsom told www.thebluearmy.co.uk.
"It is only fair to the new man to give him the best possible chance of pulling us up the table and any decisions in that respect will be his when he has had time to judge the capabilities of the squad."
PA