Aston Villa will not replace chief executive Bruce Langham until they know the plans of chairman Doug Ellis. Ellis, 81, has had heart bypass surgery and is set to return to work in August.
Operations director Steve Stride and company secretary Marion Stringer are in charge of the day-to-day affairs after Langham's resignation last month.
Stride said: "It will be irresponsible of the board to make plans for the chief executive until we know exactly what the chairman's situation is."
He added: "It is something that will be determined and discussed when he returns to the club.
"I am quite sure he wants to come back to work but, as to whether his role will diminish at all, we will have to wait and see.
"Knowing him as I do, he certainly will be itching to come back.
"I think to be realistic he is hoping to be back for the first match of the new season on August 13."
MMIX
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