STEPHEN BRADLEY remains the front-runner in the race for the Lincoln City hotseat - amid competition from former Dundalk boss Ian Foster and current Cheltenham supremo Michael Duff.
The Shamrock Rovers chief is the man that the League One side have identified to take over from Michael Appleton, whose three-year reign ended last weekend.
But if Bradley - along with members of his coaching staff Glenn Cronin and Stephen McPhail - rejects their overtures, Lincoln could turn to Foster or Duff.
Foster managed Galway United and Dundalk during a four-year spell in the League of Ireland, which began when he was appointed assistant manager to Jeff Kenna at Galway.
Ex-Northern Ireland international Duff has been in charge of Cheltenham since 2018.
Lincoln chief executive Liam Scully yesterday outlined the qualities they are looking for in their next manager.
And Bradley’s work in the Rovers academy, and in bringing young players through to the senior squad, has put him firmly in the picture.
Scully told local media yesterday: “All I can say is that we have a clear idea of the profiling of the person we want. Our search parameters are based on that above all else.
“We’ve just got to be realistic and put filters into the process, that’s going to be the deciding factor.
“We’re in a process, due diligence will be done. That may take time. We will communicate when there is something to communicate.
“There’s a bit of work to be done in the background now. That’s where we’re at.”
Just before the end of last season, Bradley was asked if he can fulfil his managerial ambitions at Rovers and replied: “I have to focus on getting this title first of all.
“You can't plan in football. If I turn around to you and say I want to manage X tomorrow, or in two weeks time, you can lose a few games and you're sacked.
“In football it can change so quickly. All my focus is genuinely on winning the league and then we'll put a plan in place for where we go.
“Whatever happens regarding me personally will look after itself in the future. I’m a firm believer in what will be, will be. What's meant for you won't pass you by."
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