Slavisa Jokanovic is set to confirmed as Sheffield United’s new manager after a successful second round of talks.
United met Jokanovic for a second time on Wednesday when they thrashed out the terms for him to take over at Bramall Lane.
Both sides felt the talks went well and Jokanovic could be announced as Chris Wilder’s permanent successor within the next 48 hours.
The Serb, who has won promotion to the Premier League with Watford and Fulham, was left off the Blades’ original five-man shortlist as they pursued other candidates.
KV Oostende coach Alexander Blessin was their initial favoured choice before United realised they would struggle to obtain a work permit for the German because of the post-Brexit rules.
The Blades then considered appointing caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom on a permanent basis when Blessin was no longer possible, but the fans were lukewarm about him because of his links to rivals Barnsley, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday.
Heckingbottom also did not manage much of an upturn in results in his 11 games in caretaker charge.
He knew before United’s final game of the season against Burnley on Sunday that he would not get the job permanently and is happy to revert to his role as Under-23s boss.
Club Brugge’s Philippe Clement was also on the shortlist and, like Blessin, was identified by United board member and de facto director of football Belgian Jan van Winckel.
But United have gone for Jokanovic after being impressed with him in their two meetings.
They feel the former Chelsea midfielder is the right coach to turn United around and mount a promotion push next season.