Aidy Boothroyd is interested in the soon-to-be-vacant manager's job at Swansea City, according to chairman Huw Jenkins.
The 38-year-old former Watford boss has been out of work since leaving Vicarage Road last November.
"He has declared an interest," Jenkins told BBC Wales.
Swansea manager Roberto Martinez is expected to make his switch to Wigan next week after a row over compensation for backroom staff delayed the move.
Martinez was due to be unveiled on Thursday but a press conference had to be abandoned when the Swans and Wigan fell out over compensation for assistant manager Graeme Jones and chief scout Kevin Reeves.
"We are hoping to resolve our differences with Wigan this weekend," added Jenkins.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is also due to speak with Martinez on Saturday.
Jenkins wants the matter sorted quickly so he can push on with the search for Martinez's replacement.
Sheffield United player-coach Gary Speed has already been given permission to speak to Swansea.
The 39-year-old has a year left on his contract at Bramall Lane but is keen to get into management.
Early favourite Steve Coppell is out of the running after deciding to take a break from football, as is Exeter chief Paul Tisdale who has committed himself to the Grecians where he has won back-to-back promotions.
Falkirk boss John Hughes did state his interest in taking charge at the Liberty Stadium, but has since left the Bairns to take over at Hibernian.
League Two Bury's Alan Knill has also ruled himself out, but it is understood the former Swansea defender was not on Jenkins' shortlist.
Boothroyd is thought to be on that list though.
He took over at Watford in March 2005 and enhanced his reputation as one of the country's brightest young coaches by saving a struggling Hornets side from relegation in his first two months in charge.
The following season, he completed his transformation of the club in his first full season in charge by finishing third in the Championship and guiding Watford into the Premier League via the play-offs.
Watford clinched their top-flight berth with a 3-0 win over Leeds in the play-off final.
But they were relegated after one season and then lost the 2008 Championship play-off semi-final to eventual winners Hull last season after leading the table at one stage.
And following a poor start to last season, Boothroyd left by mutual consent.
Jenkins ideally would like to have a new manager in place by the end of next week, which leaves a week before the players return for pre-season training.
"As things stand, there's some good people who have applied," he said.
"We are going to push on next week and get cracking.
"We will try our best [to do something by the end of the week] and see where we get to."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?