CHIEF executive Lawrie McKinna believes the pieces are in place for a new coach to have success at the Jets but conceded a lengthy delay in the appointment of a tactician "would put us behind the eight ball".
The Jets are set for their fourth coach inside a year after the shock departure by Carl Robinson a fortnight ago to join Western Sydney.
McKinna has been inundated with interest for the position but a new boss will not be installed until the ownership situation is finalised.
Football Federation Australia are conducting due diligence on a prospective buyer for the Jets, but the transfer of the club from Martin Lee could be some weeks away from completion.
"I am accumulating all the names and passing that information on to the potential new owners to sift through," McKinna said.
"The calibre and range of applicants have been strong. There are some with A-League experience and others on the periphery who are craving an opportunity as a head coach. There has been interest from overseas as well but, at the moment the coach will likely be an Australian.
"I will make a recommendation of four or five, but in the end, it is up to the owners. The longer it takes for the ownership to be finalsed, the longer it takes to get a coach in. Any delay would put us behind the eight ball."
Craig Deans, who has twice served as an interim boss, has been conducting the opening week of pre-season training along with youth team coach Daniel McBreen, operations manager Joel Griffiths and McKinna, who steered the Mariners to two grand finals before moving into administration.
McKinna said Deans, who has also coached the Jets' W-League side, had not expressed a desire to take the A-League position full-time.
"I think eventually he would like to be an A-League coach, but he has not come up to me and said put my name in for the job," McKinna said.
John Aloisi, Peter Tsekenis, Damian Mori, Hayden Foxe and Arthur Papas are among the names thrown up as potential candidates.
McKinna said the successful applicant would inherit a solid squad - with room to bring in up to four players - and a blueprint for success provided by Robinson.
"We have 16 players signed, including Matt Millar, who is out on loan and could be back in January," McKinna said. "You need someone to challenge them. When Carl came in, he had that enthusiasm and drive. You need somebody to drive the squad and show them their full potential.
"That was what Carl did a great job on. Boys who were not playing well, all of a sudden were doing a very good job. They needed somebody to bring out that belief."
Some pundits questioned McKinna's decision to bring in Robinson mid-season after the group had grown stale under Ernie Merrick.
It was a similar story when Merrick was appointed in 2017, with some suggesting the game had past the two-time championship winning mentor.
"Ernie came in and got us to a grand final in the first year," McKinna said. "Then Carl came in and had an outstanding six wins, three draws and one loss. Everybody you appoint, there are always people against it.
"We have to do what we think is right for the football club and the squad we have got."
Deans and company will have the controls for at least the opening two pre-season friendlies against the Mariners on November 13 and new boys Macarthur at Maitland on November 26. They meet Brisbane in Coffs Harboour (December 12) and Wellington (December 19).
Angus Thurgate, Johnny Koutroumbis, Connor O'Toole and Ramy Najjarine have been selected for Olyroos training camp and will miss the hit out against the Mariners.
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