Alan Pardew has emerged as a shock contender to take over at League One side Portsmouth - but the former Newcastle United manager looks set to miss out to Danny Cowley.
The 59-year-old, who was in charge at St James' Park for four years between 2010 and 2014, is currently working with Russian side CSKA Moscow as a technical director.
His last position in the dugout came in the Dutch Eredivisie with ADO Den Haag.
However, after heading to Russia as recently as November, the former West Ham United and Newcastle manager has reportedly thrown his hat into the ring at Fratton Park.
Cowley remains a strong favourite with the bookies, though, as he closes in on the Pompey hot-seat - with some sources near to the club suggesting he has even agreed terms.
Indeed, the former Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town manager is now 1/10 with bookmakers SkyBet - who aren't even currently offering odds on Pardew, who arrived at Newcastle in 2010 after cutting his managerial teeth at Reading, followed by spells with the Hammers, Charlton Athletic and Southampton.
He wasn't the man to bring silverware back to the north east, though, but he did win manager of the year in 2011/2012 after leading the Magpies to an impressive fifth-placed finish.
Newcastle finished 12th, 16th and 10th during Pardew's other three seasons at the helm - although he left midway through his final campaign to take charge at Crystal Palace.
Fast forward to being linked with Portsmouth, the Londoner and other would-be contenders are expected to miss out in favour of Cowley, who steered Lincoln City from the National League to League One in three seasons before heading to Huddersfield.
The 42-year-old - and brother Nicky, who acts as his assistant - lasted just 10 months in Yorkshire, but they could be appointed by Pompey ahead of their crunch clash with fellow promotion-hopefuls Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
