Sale Sharks chief executive Steve Diamond told Sky Sports he intends to talk to Bryan Redpath and "see where he is at".
Aviva Premiership club have already drawn up four-man shortlist
Steve Diamond insists he has yet to speak to Bryan Redpath about the director of rugby vacancy at Sale - but he does intend to make contact with the Scotsman to "see where he is at".
Redpath resigned from his
position with a "heavy heart" at Gloucester on Tuesday after a run of four successive defeats.
His announcement has only fuelled speculation that he could be set to take up a similar position with the Sharks, a team he turned out for during his playing career.
Chief executive Diamond is currently in the process of interviewing candidates for his previous job, with Sale having drawn up a four-man shortlist from a total of 12 applicants.
"Well, Bryan has only recently resigned from Gloucester so we haven't interviewed him yet at all," he told
Sky Sports.
"I've yet to speak to him, and from all accounts he wants some time out, but I will speak to him, or speak to his agent, over the next few days and see where he is at.
"I can understand it," he replied, after being asked about the speculation. "I also understand that Bryan is a very committed man and that he wouldn't walk away from Gloucester for that reason. He's done that for his own reasons."
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Gloucester
director Ryan Walkinshaw has threatened a "no holds barred legal attack" if they discover an approach from Sale was behind Redpath's resignation with two games to go in the campaign.
Diamond was adamant Sale had done nothing wrong, however, stating: "Everything we do at Sale Sharks is above board and transparent. It's a bit cynical of people to make rash statements without having any evidence.
"We go about our business very well, signing Richie Gray and Daniel Cipriani, the stadium move, it has all been done in the right manner. Our next director of rugby will be done in the same way."
The Aviva Premiership outfit - who will be moving from Stockport to Barton next season to ground share with rugby league side Salford City Reds - are already well underway with the process of finding their next director of rugby.
"We've had three candidates interviewed already and there's another one to be interviewed next week, then we will make a decision from there," Diamond said.
"They were shortlisted from about 12 applicants. The last interview is next Thursday or Friday, then we will make our decision the week after that.
"The ideal candidate needs a proven track record, to understand the game at the top level and be highly respected. The three we have interviewed already, as well as the one next week, all fit into that criteria.
"It's just who myself, Brian Kennedy and Ian Blackhurst feel will fit into the club and work alongside myself on a day-to-day basis."
In a twist of fate, the Sharks' next fixture sees them travel to Kingsholm to take on Gloucester, with both sides still in the running for European qualification.
