Aston Villa are ready to risk upsetting their fans by appointing former Birmingham boss Steve Bruce as manager after sacking Roberto Di Matteo.
Bruce is one of three contenders on the shortlist. David Wagner, who has taken Huddersfield to the top of the Championship table on a limited budget, is also in the running along with Sean Dyche of Burnley.
Di Matteo was dismissed on Monday after just 123 days in charge following a sequence of one win in 11 league games which has left Villa two points above the relegation zone.
Chief executive Keith Wyness and technical director Steve Round, who has only been in his position for four weeks, met to begin the search for a fifth permanent manager in 20 months.