Nottingham Forest owner and chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi has revealed the candidates for the manager's post.
Former Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola are both in the frame.
"Steve Clarke, Malky Mackay and Gianfranco Zola are on the list, yes, but there are things I would like to mention because I have not spoken to them, I have spoken with their agents," Al Hasawi told Sky Sports News.
"Every single manager we wanted to take they say he is on gardening leave or he has some problem with his former club, or they say 'we don't want to do it right now, we want to do it in the summer'.
"Many managers want to start at the beginning of the season - most of them do. They don't like to start for the last eight games, and I want to give a longer contract. Zola is someone who wants to start in the summer.
"But I don't want to rush. I want to pick the right manager. We know what the fans want and what they don't want and what will make them happy, and if we are going to pick anybody I am sure they will be happy."