Eyes on Kuqi

SHEFKI Kuqi made a big impact as a player at Athletic, scoring 16 goals in the 2011-12 campaign

ATHLETIC are looking at a three-pronged attack for their new managerial team, with former striker Shefki Kuqi at its spearhead.

Kuqi (39) is understood to have spoken to Athletic officials over a lead coaching role, with the idea being to add Sean O'Driscoll as the club's newly-created director of football.

A third figure would then complete a management team which, it is felt, would contain the ingredients needed to build, coach and motivate an almost all-new squad into next season.

Ex-Finland international Kuqi, who scored 16 goals for Athletic in 2011-12, had been linked with the Port Vale job earlier this month. His career in management started with FC Honka, who he guided into the qualifying rounds of the Europa League, and he is now boss and part-owner of PK-35 Vantaa, who he took into the top Finnish division.

O'Driscoll has been persuaded to take on the 'upstairs' role after being spoken to by Athletic last week.

Athletic yesterday issued a second statement surrounding the search for a replacement for John Sheridan, following on from last week's which detailed the breakdown of a swoop for Steve Evans.

It stressed that finding the right coaching team is essential and that work has been taking place in terms of bringing players in.

"The board understands that some supporters feel a sense of frustration with regard to the appointment of our new manager," Athletic's statement reads.

"We would like to make it clear that this process is something we were not prepared to rush.

"As we are painfully aware, it is vital to ensure that we have in place, not just a manager but also a support team who can take us forward.

"It was well documented that we came close to appointing another manager and through no fault of the club, this did not happen. However, as with any football club there are always back-up plans and sometimes due process and logistics mean that announcements cannot be made as quickly as we would like.

"We would also like the fans to know that this will not impact on players coming in and work has been ongoing for some time in this department in conjunction with some of the management team that will be here next season, but again, with the opportunity of building an almost completely new squad, this is something that requires much thought and consideration.

"We ask our fans to be as understanding and patient as possible as we believe we will have a strong management team and squad in place for the start of the forthcoming season."

Athletic hope to be able to make an announcement in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, out-of-contract centre-back James Wilson is being courted by rival clubs.

League Two outfit Leyton Orient ­and League One duo Rochdale and Shrewsbury are all interested in taking on the 27-year-old defender, whose deal with Athletic has run out after two-and-a-half seasons.

Former Bristol City man Wilson, a full Wales international, has made a total of 109 appearances for Athletic, scoring twice.