Steve Bruce has emerged as the clear frontrunner to take over at Aston Villa after holding talks with the club’s chief executive Keith Wyness and technical director Steve Round.
But any appointment was on Saturday night still not guaranteed, with Bruce yet to meet owner Tony Xia and Villa undertaking a thorough process of assessing other candidates, including current interim manager Steve Clarke.
Villa, who sacked Roberto Di Matteo after a run of only one win in 12 matches, have 55-year-old Bruce at the top of their shortlist because of his expertise taking clubs into the Premier League.