So if they do have someone in mind who can drop everything and join the club within a few weeks why not have them here ASAP?
I'm pretty sure I read that they want to appoint someone by Christmas, but they may not be available to join until later in the season or next season. I don't think they are limiting themselves to someone that can start on Jan 1.
Which makes Ernies comments about letting his replacement have a run of home games so odd.