Chief executive Stephen Booth said on Monday morning that he hoped to have the new boss installed before next weekend's trip to Bradford.

And he said that the appointment would be made in consultation with the prosepctive new owners of Mansfield Town FC.

Manager Billy Dearden left the club after Saturday's 4-0 home drubbing by Rochdale and his assistant Paul Holland was placed in temporary charge on Sunday - after immediate rumours that former Stags player Billy McEwan would be appointed as Dearden's successor.

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Booth told Chad on Monday morning: "I have given it a lot of thought and there are several people I am talking to. There are a number of people out there who could help us, but it is important that we do not appoint someone as a knee-jerk reaction.

"This is not a one-horse race, but the candidates have to be available now and ready and able to step into the breach.

"The objective is to get everything resolved in advance of the Bradford game on Saturday.

"But there was no way someone could have been in place by Tuesday's match, so Paul (Holland) has been placed in charge for that.

"It is important that I get behind him and give him the chance to show what he can do.

"In the context of any takeover, I would not impose any manager on the prospective new owners without due consultation.

"There is every expectation of an early conclusion to the ownership issue - and I am still talking to several parties - but it would be foolish of me to say it is imminent. Anything could happen, last time we thought a deal was done and then through no-one's fault it didn't happen."

At Saturday's press conference to announce Dearden's departure, non executive chairman James Derry hinted at 'good news on the takeover this week'.

The new manager is expected to be handed a short-term contraact until the end of the season, with the obvious target of keeping the Stags in the Football League.

The front runner for the post was McEwan, but since then several other names have been put forward with many fans wanting another ex-player, terrace hero Richie Barker, as player-manager.

The inspirational Martin Allen has also been mentioned together with Ian Atkins. But Mr Booth declined to comment on any names put to him by Chad on Monday.