Alan Curbishley has pulled out of the running for the vacant managerial post at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Curbishley, installed as favourite for the post after Mick McCarthy's sacking, is understood to have dropped out because he and owner Steve Morgan did not share the same vision for the club, according to BBC Football.
That leaves Steve Bruce as the likeliest candidate after Neil Warnock, who also made up a shortlist of three, was appointed Leeds United manager on Saturday.
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney has thrown his backing behind Steve Bruce:
Stan Collymore, meanwhile, continued his feud with the ex-Birmingham City boss. The pair ridiculed each other over Bruce choosing David Beckham as man of the match for an England international:
Bruce was sacked by Sunderland in December after just two wins in the Mackems' opening 15 games this season. Since Martin O'Neill succeeded him on Wearside, the club have shot up to ninth in the league, winning 10 games out of 15 and defeating Arsenal to reach the FA Cup quarter finals.
Bruce however answered Wigan Athletic's SOS call in 2007 when Birmingham City refused to offer him a new contract after promotion, with the Latics languishing at 19th in the Premier League table. They finished in a respectable 14th and improved up to 11th in his second and final season at the then-JJB Stadium.
Wolves currently lie in 18th and face Newcastle United at the Sports Direct Arena on Saturday.