Mark Hughes, who ended his time in charge of Wales with defeat to Poland, has backed Gary Speed to succeed him. Bolton midfielder Speed, 35, announced his international retirement after the 3-2 loss at the Millennium Stadium.
Blackburn boss Hughes said: "I haven't been consulted about who is to be the next manager but Gary Speed would be a good appointment."
FAW chief David Collins told BBC Sport that no official moves to appoint a new manager will begin until 28 October.
John Toshack is the bookies' favourite, while Brian Flynn has strong support and Ian Rush remains the outsider.
Speed also has the backing of key players such as Birmingham's Robbie Savage, who previously indicated that he and several other senior players would quit if Toshack was appointed.
"Gary has the qualities to become a good manager, but I don't know if he is in a position to take the job," said Hughes.
"It would be a similar situation to me when I took over. They got it right then and I hope they get it right now.
"There are a lot of people being bandied about and it has to be the right person.
"It's important the backroom staff are kept and we have to remember team spirit is our biggest asset."
Birmingham midfielder Savage went even further by suggesting the Football Association of Wales should not even bother to go through a selection process.
 |  All I want to talk about is the Poland game |
Savage said: "I think Gary should not be made to apply for the job - he should be offered it.
"Gary knows the game, he knows us and he would be able to carry on the work started by Sparky.
"I know Gary is still a very good player and committed to Bolton, but if he worked with someone like Brian Flynn, he could combine both jobs."
Speed, who recently signed a two-year playing contract with Bolton, said: "I haven't talked to anyone about the manager's job, and the first person I would see would be (Bolton manager) Sam Allardyce.
"It's not in my thoughts at the moment, all I want to talk about is the Poland game."
Speed, would have a lot of support from the playing squad, some of whom have been angered by Toshack's criticism of Hughes' regime and unimpressed by the other suggested candidates.
| I've had a call from the FAW and they said they would speak to me after the Poland game |
Savage and Craig Bellamy have both gone public with their views, while Speed appeared to direct a cynical blast at Toshack's assessment of the 2-0 defeat to England.
"There are a lot of fantastic managers in Wales, it's amazing how we haven't done anything in world football with so many good managers," said Speed.
Former Wales captain Kevin Ratcliffe has defended Toshack's right to criticise the team, though.
"I don't think players will give up their Wales career if Toshack gets the job, in the media he just says what he sees," Ratcliffe told BBC Sport Wales.
"Sometimes the truth can hurt players, but it has to be said because the fans aren't stupid."
Although he lacks the stature of the other candidates, Flynn has support within certain sections of the FAW, particularly as it is believed he would have a more hands-on role than the other candidates with a care for grass-roots football.
"I've had a call from the FAW and they said they would speak to me after the Poland game," Flynn told BBC Sport.
"Mark Hughes has left a fantastic platform to build on, a team that is respected throughout Europe.
"I'm ready and willing, and it would be a privilege if I was asked to lead my country."
MMIX
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Sparky's successor
