Friday 6 May 2016 16:29, UK
Aston Villa will not appoint a new manager until talks over the sale of the club are concluded.
Eric Black has been in caretaker charge at Villa Park since Remi Garde left the club at the end of March, and their relegation from the Premier League has since been confirmed.
Black said on Friday he was uncertain about his future at the club, and owner Randy Lerner is still looking for a buyer nearly two years on from putting the club up for sale.
And chairman Steve Hollis hinted that uncertainty over the managerial role could continue in the short-term, while hinting that a deal might not be far away.
He told the club's website: "We are in very constructive negotiations which could lead to the sale of the club to a new owner.
"There has been no shortage of parties who would like to own Aston Villa but our negotiations are now with those parties that we believe will have the passion and ambition to return the club to winning the highest honours in European football.
"The appointment of the manager is at this time inextricably linked to the current negotiations."
The same statement also confirmed that Villa's annual lap of appreciation would not take place at their last home game against Newcastle on Saturday.
"The club has consulted with supporter representatives over the annual lap of appreciation and understand in the current circumstances that would not be appropriate," the statement read.
"Throughout a bitterly disappointing campaign our supporters have been the one positive and the Club would like to thank them all for their tremendous support."