Toulouse chiefs have revealed they expect to appoint a new manager very soon, with reports in France indicating Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is now on a three-man shortlist.
And the ambitious French club insist they want a manager who has 'overperformed with modest means.'
The Danish manager has been widely praised after leading Well to a fourth-place finish in the league and for their style of football.
And that has not gone unnoticed throughout Europe, with Askou linked last week with a move to Ligue 1 side Toulouse.
Their manager, Carles Martínez Novell, has announced his departure after three years in charge with the Spanish coach leading them to a tenth placed-finish this season.
Reports in France suggest Askou will battle it out with Olivier Pantaloni, who is leaving Lorient, and Christophe Pelissier, who has decided to quit Auxerre after keeping them up.
Toulouse sports director, Viktor Bezhani, said: " We have a shortlist, with French and international names on it.
"We hope to announce the name as soon as possible.
"We've already conducted interviews."
And the club's president, Viktor Bezhani outlined the managerial profile that the ambitious club will demand.
He said: "The future manager must be very dynamic, very positive, aware of the expectations of the thousands of fans who are waiting for goals.
"He must be someone who can work with young players and bring new ideas.
"We need to have a coach who has overperformed with modest means and that knows how to develop players."
