Monday 18 January 2016 18:08, UK
Bristol City have had "significant interest" in their vacant manager's job with at least 30 applications for the position, according to Sky sources.
The Robins are searching for a new boss following the departure of Steve Cotterill last week after two years in charge at Ashton Gate.
The Sky Bet Championship club plan to take their time with the decision and it could take weeks rather than days to appoint Cotterill's successor.
They will narrow the list to a few names and then do relevant diligence on each candidate.
John Pemberton will remain in charge of the team in the meantime.
Pemberton, who was Cotterill's assistant, and U21 boss Wade Elliott took charge on a caretaker basis for the first time against Middlesbrough on Saturday and guided City to a 1-0 victory over the Championship leaders.
City had claimed just one win in 12 matches in all competitions prior to the sacking of Cotterill, who enjoyed considerable success last season when the Robins won the League 1 title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Oxford United manager Michael Appleton was the favourite for the Bristol City job with Sky Bet on Monday morning, with former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson next in the betting, ahead of Neil Warnock, Garry Monk and Stuart Pearce.
While Pemberton is hopeful of landing the position on a permanent basis, the 51-year-old insists he will respect the club's decision over his future.
"This is a good club and, given its infrastructure, it is only going to go one way," Pemberton said in the Bristol Post. "To be a part of that would be fantastic.
"Would I like to stay at Bristol City? Absolutely. But in what capacity I don't know.
"I want the best thing for the club and if that best thing is having me around in some capacity, then great. If not, then I'll shake everybody's hands and say 'fair enough'. I don't have a problem ether way.
"If it's two games, four games or more, I will go away with hand on heart and say I've given it everything.
"What needs to be done is the thing that is best for the club and I'm sure that decision will be made with the right intentions."
