CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell has revealed Cherries are waiting to hear back from a “great” managerial contender after conducting interviews today.

Mitchell confirmed Cherries had stepped up their search for a new boss by drawing up a shortlist and talking to possible successors to Paul Groves.

The Cherries chief also told the Daily Echo there was a possibility of interviewing a further three people – depending on the result of today’s talks.

Mitchell, who declined to reveal how many interviews he had conducted, said he had spoken to “several” candidates over the phone.

He reported he was happy with the calibre of the interviewees and strongly hinted that he was considering people who are currently out of work.

Mitchell told the Daily Echo: “We have interviewed a couple of people. One of them has gone away who I think would be great for the club.

“We are hoping to hear back from him and there could then be a possibility of a second interview with them and I could possibly give you some news. But, as it is, we haven’t heard back so we are still waiting.”

Asked to describe how the talks had gone, Mitchell replied: “Very well and we are hoping to have positive news.

“But these things take time and people have things to consider and there are agents involved and things like that, so it is a work in progress.”

Burnley’s Eddie Howe and MK Dons boss Karl Robinson are both believed to be high on Cherries’ wish-list to fill the Goldsands Stadium hot-seat.

Former Cherries manager Howe remains the bookmakers’ favourite and is still understood to be the Dorset club’s preferred target.

But while Mitchell refused to rule out making an official approach for managers in employment, he insisted appointing an out-of-work boss was more likely.

That could point to former Dean Court striker Steve Cotterill – whose odds for the vacancy today shortened to 3-1.

When contacted by the Daily Echo last week, the 48-year-old ex-Nottingham Forest boss politely declined to comment on speculation linking him with Cherries.

Former Coventry City manager Andy Thorn in understood to have applied for the role, with other out-of-work managers Glenn Hoddle, Paul Ince, Alan Curbishley, Sean Dyche, Lawrie Sanchez and Gary Waddock among a host of names linked.

Mitchell added: “The strongest indication I can give is that I don’t want expectations of me pulling somebody out of the Premier League because it isn’t going to happen.

“It is more than likely to be from somebody that is between jobs, (that is) not to say they haven’t been a Premier League manager.

“It is unethical for us to even consider pulling somebody out of the Championship or Premier League, realistically, because the wages and demands are far too great for a League One club.

“It is unrealistic to get somebody to come from a higher club. It would be a real strain to get somebody from the top of this division because it is a backward step for people.

“But there are good people that have been to the top of the ladder, that are not in work and that have shown interest in the club. So, that is the way I have got to go.”