John Potter insists Raith Rovers are happy to take their time to make sure they get ‘the right man’ in their managerial search.
The Stark’s Park outfit surprisingly sacked Ian Murray after the first game of the Championship season on August 3.
Almost three weeks later, they still do not have a successor in place.
And, with Potter and Colin Cameron preparing the team this week, one is not expected before Saturday’s trip to face on-form Ayr United.
Chief executive Andy Barrowman initially indicated the club was confident of making a swift appointment.
But, revealing some targets were in jobs at other clubs, he admitted they would not be fully in control of the process.
Potter has said a number of conversations with – and about – potential candidates have taken place.
But he is adamant there is no pressure to bring in Murray’s replacement.
“We’re still working through the process to get the right man in, which is the most important thing,” he said.
“We don’t think there’s a point in rushing it.
Potter: ‘We’ve done our homework’
“Things change and develop all the time, so day to day things can change.
“But I had my head around it at the start of the week, that we will plan and prepare for Ayr on Saturday.
“And that’s how it will be, at the moment. We’ll be taking the team for this weekend’s game.
“We have spoken to people. That’s our job, we’ve done our homework.
“I wouldn’t class them as interviews but we’ve spoken to a lot of different people. Not just potential candidates, but people who know people and guys that I know.
“We’re doing our due diligence, we’re doing our homework. But the most important thing is we get the guy we feel can take the club forward.
“If that takes a little bit longer than some people would like then that’s how it needs to be.”
He added: “There have been conversations with people – maybe not as many as some people think or make out.
“Not offering the job to them, but just having a chat and a conversation. That’s the best way we feel to go about our work.
“It’s important for the guy we want that it fits what he wants to do as well.
‘It was a big decision’
“If we get the two of them together and we can agree on a contract with that man then that’s when it will be done and dusted.
“It was a big decision we made when we changed the manager, so it’s really important that we get the right guy.
“If it takes a little bit longer then I’m really comfortable with that. As long as at the end we get the right guy in and the guy we think can take Raith forward.”
Peter Leven is one candidate Raith have reportedly approached, but the Aberdeen coach will be staying at Pittodrie.
Hearts B manager Liam Fox is another currently in a job who is said to be of interest.
Whoever eventually takes the reins, Potter – who is happy to remain in his technical director role, no matter how he does in the interim – insists they will be taking on an appealing job.
“We think this is an attractive job for people and I think it’s proving that way with the people that are interested in it,” he added.
“I think it’s a great job, a really attractive job, a chance to be successful. There’s a lot of good people working at the club and a good squad.
‘It’s an attractive job’
“The club’s moving forward.
“It’s difficult to win games, but I think the man coming in has a really good chance of being successful at this club.
“And we’ll do our best to give him all the tools to do that.
“So, I think it’s an attractive job for someone.”
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