Dundee United’s managerial hunt will stretch into next week after sporting director Tony Asghar confirmed they are in no rush.
Asghar has suggested that there could be as many as 20 candidates interviewed for the vacancy by the time the Tangerines get around to making a decision, which is now likely to be next week.
That will make it over a fortnight since Robbie Neilson left the club for Hearts.
Among those in the frame are Micky Mellon, Malky Mackay, Billy McKinlay, Jon Daly and Austin MacPhee, while Asghar claimed just the other day that former St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright had not been ruled out.
Asghar, speaking to The Times, said: “We need to know who will fit this club.
“We have clear criteria about what we are looking for.
“Since (owner) Mark Ogren came in 18 months ago we have built a momentum and we want to keep that going.
“I have been a bit surprised at the sheer diversity of people who have applied.
“I have seen other clubs act very quickly in this situation.
“But what we wanted to do was have an open view, speak to people and reach the best decision for Dundee United.”
Asghar, who asked Tranmere on Thursday for permission to speak to Mellon, then hinted that the club will not shy away from appointing someone who does not have Scottish top-flight experience.
“Sometimes you need experience but sometimes you need someone who is hungry, enthusiastic, ambitious, and wants to develop the team,” added Asghar.
“So I don’t think you can just say: ‘We must go with experience’.
“Top-level managers have gone into jobs before and not been successful. It will come down to whether the person we get fits into the environment that we have created here.”
Specifically asked about SFA performance director Mackay, Asghar replied: “We had a great chat with Malky.
“We find him a very impressive man. But Malky is one of a number we are looking at.”
