Former British number one Tim Henman has taken himself out of the running to become Andy Murray's full-time coach.
Former British number one snubs position despite Gilbert tribute
Tim Henman has taken himself out of the running to become Andy Murray's full-time coach after suggesting he is not prepared to jet across the world to aid the British number one's cause.
Henman had been linked with the vacant role after the out-of-form 23-year-old announced he had parted ways with Alex Corretja on Tuesday.
Brad Gilbert, a former mentor of Murray's, believes Henman would be the perfect appointment as someone who would command the respect of the current top-ranked Briton.
And while the previous British number one admits he would like to get more involved in tennis again, the 36-year-old former world number four told
The Daily Mail he is not looking to travel at this time.
Henman said: "I'm a great supporter of Andy's and wouldn't rule out coaching at some time in the future, but not now."
Respect
Failing Henman, Gilbert reckons Ivan Lendl is the ideal candidate to take on the role.
Lendl has no previous experience in a coaching capacity, but the eight-time grand slam champion has a wealth of experience on Tour, having spent 270 weeks at the summit of the sport.
And Gilbert said: "I don't think it matters that he hasn't coached on tour before.
"You're talking about a very smart and intelligent guy who has incredible experience of the game and has been through what Andy has in terms of early Grand Slam finals.
"He would garner a lot of respect and he's not someone who would do anything unless he could do it properly. There aren't many guys right for this position."
Candidates
Lendl's former coach, Australian Tony Roche, is also believed to be interested in helping Murray's game, although he currently holds allegiance to former world number one Lleyton Hewitt.
Another option is veteran Bob Brett, whose current player, Croat Marin Cilic, is struggling, while Andre Agassi's former coach Darren Cahill is a possibility through Murray's sponsors Adidas, who have a coaching staff and employ the Australian part-time, although he declared his services unavailable last year.
Lendl's old rival Jimmy Connors would be a promising candidate, a commanding figure who has experience of working with Andy Roddick.
There are also suggestions that Murray could pluck someone entirely from left field or even end up with no official coach, after announcing earlier in the month former hitting partner Dani Vallverdu will travel with his team on a regular basis.
Murray is enduring the worst slump in form of his career after losing four matches in a row since his defeat to Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open.
And the Scottish right-hander, who has remained in Miami, now prepares to play on his least-favoured surface, the clay, when the Barcelona Open gets under way on April 18.
Skysports.com looks at whether Murray should consider employing Lendl as his next full-time coach. Click here to read.
