Wycombe Wanderers' prospective new owner Rob Couhig has told supporters he hopes to continue his positive working relationship with Gareth Ainsworth - despite Sunderland's approach.
The American is hoping to seal a bid to take a majority share in the club from the supporters' trust and has the backing of the Chairboys manager. Voting among members on whether to allow his purchase to go through has started, and will last another two weeks.
Ainsworth is believed to be one of the two main candidates - along with Phil Parkinson - being considered for the vacant Sunderland manager's role.
But addressing the supporters' trust, Couhig said he hopes to continue working with Ainsworth, though conceded he would not stand in his way if he saw fit to go elsewhere. The club granted Sunderland permission to speak with the 46-year-old.
"He and I have had a great relationship so far and I hope that will continue. We understand each other very well," Couhig said.
“Should the day come when he decides to move on, we will consult with the best people in the business, consult with you [the fans], consult with others and make a decision on how to go forward.
“It would be my hope that it would be someone similar to Gareth in the sense that they would have the discipline, the intellect and the ability to guide these lads forward.”
Ainsworth spoke recently about the need for investment, declaring his ambition to step-up to the Championship, and admitting currently that the club don't have the financial might to make that a reality for him at Wycombe.
The difficult situation for him is that, with the Black Cats potentially calling, he won't know for another fortnight if the supporters trust decide to accept the Stateside takeover.
Speaking last month about his and the club's future, he said: “I’m open to everything. Wycombe have this potential. I’m really hoping that the fans understand that. Unfortunately, money is needed in football and to progress, especially to the next level. It’s going to take some serious investment.
“We have people willing to put their money in. The fans love owning their own club [Wycombe are currently owned by the supporters’ trust] and I understand that as well. But the ambition for me is to get into that Championship one way or the other.
“My immediate future, I’m okay. I’m happy at Wycombe. But I just have this burning desire to manage and test myself at higher levels.
“If somebody did come knocking, I’m sure that the Wycombe fans would understand that it’s decision time. I want Wycombe to be up there, but at the moment, we have the ceiling, this financial ceiling at the club.”
Elsewhere, Wigan's chief executive has confirmed the club have not accepted any approaches for their manager Paul Cook.
Although he did not name any club, it is understood Sunderland contacted the Latics to seek permission to speak to Cook.
Jonathan Jackson said: "No club have been given permission to speak to our manager.
“A few clubs are looking for managers at the moment and we have to respect their privacy.”
