Cardiff City have emphasised they have not offered the manager's job to anyone and are undergoing a thorough process to find the right man to take the Bluebirds forward.
Wales Online understands a number of managers have expressed interest in the post vacated after Sabri Lamouchi's departure earlier this week, with some of them containing impressive credentials.
Bluebirds legend Sol Bamba and ex-Cardiff boss Steve Morison have each been heavily linked with the job in the last 72 hours, which saw their odds of landing the role slashed by the bookies.
But the club are stressing no decisions have been taken and they are continuing to speak to unnamed candidates behind the scenes before deciding upon who can take the club forward next season following a tortuous 2022-23 campaign.
Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman was giving nothing away about who the new man would be, or who Cardiff were interviewing for the role.
But setting the record straight, Dalman said on Friday morning: "We have not offered the job to anybody as of yet. The interview process is going on. No decision has been made."
Dalman's comments indicate that despite the publicity surrounding Bamba, Morison and others such as Nathan Jones, there would appear to be others in the frame who have yet to be mentioned.
The Cardiff City job is a big one, the opportunity to unlock a club with rich potential, and as such it is inevitable there is interest from managers home and abroad.
Sabri Lamouchi's No.2 Bamba remains the hot bookies tip following reports earlier this week he had been offered the post. Although many fans would like to see Bamba get the job, Cardiff have played down those reports and maintain the interview process is ongoing.
Former boss Morison emerged as a surprise contender, having pretty much compiled the current squad with a massive overhaul of 17 players last summer. Cardiff owner Tan has a soft spot for Morison and could be interested in re-hiring the man he dismissed out of the blue back in September.
But significantly there are also a number of other names in the frame who Tan may eventually opt to go for, given the process remains ongoing.
Cardiff know they need to get this call right, having escaped relegation from the Championship in recent weeks. The option of a rookie boss might appeal to Tan for cost reasons, but we're told he also remains keen for Cardiff to push much higher in the table next season. That might yet mean a different approach with regards the appointment, with Cardiff opting for greater experience in the role.
Cardiff are keen to make a decision one way or the other in the coming days, aware work needs to begin sharpish to bolster the squad during the summer transfer window with shrewd acquisitions.
READ NEXT
Cardiff City continue hunt for new manager despite reports Sol Bamba has been offered job
Man Utd and Wales legend Ryan Giggs’ teenage son signs for Premier League club
'It's been an honour' – Sabri Lamouchi posts classy message to Cardiff City fans after exit
