Motherwell manager Graham Alexander says he has already had thoughts about who he adds to his coaching team after Keith Lasley's departure was confirmed.
The 42-year-old club legend has been assistant manager at the Premiership club since 2017 but will leave in the summer for a new career path as St Mirren's chief operating officer.
It's left the former Scotland international looking to recruit a new staff member after the announcement.
'Well sit sixth in the league post-split and take on Rangers this Saturday. While the final five games of this term take precedent, Alexander has pondered who comes in after Lasley.
The ML1 boss said: "I've had thoughts over the last few weeks about what we do with that role, now we know he (Lasley) is going.
"When you get closer to games, that takes your main focus. You have to plan ahead but there is nothing concrete in my head at the moment at what that new coach looks like."
While he didn't want to lose Lasley and was surprised at the timing, Alexander is aware that it would be hard to turn down the opportunity which has presented itself.
He explained: "Las was a big help to me when I came in here. I was new to domestic Scottish football and I didn't know all of the opposition, or much about our squad.
"He's been a big part of what we have done. We know of his massively strong connection with Motherwell. He is still that big part of what we do.
"I was surprised when he came to speak to me about the specific role. I knew about his qualifications to go down a sporting director journey, but I thought that was a few years down the line.
"I don't think he foresaw this role coming so soon. He's done a lot of soul searching as Motherwell has played a big part of his life. In professional football, you sometimes need to make hard decisions for yourself."
Motherwell will secure European football for next season if they finish fourth or fifth in the Premiership, taking on Rangers before vital trips to Dundee United and Ross County.
Hearts at home and a final day trip to Celtic cap off the Steelmen's campaign and Alexander insists it's up to the players to decide their fate.
The 50-year-old added: "The players deserve massive credit for finishing in the top six.
"Everyone knows what the potential of finishing fourth or fifth brings but we haven't really spoken about that because I don't think there should be massive pressure on us to go and do that.
"It is there, it is an opportunity and I know my players well enough that if there is an opportunity to do something they will do their best to take it.
"But it won't dictate if our season has been a success or not, it already has been a success."
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