We've had 40 applicants and we've conducted eight interviews with the possibility of a couple more in the next few days.
The next step is to whittle it down to a further shortlist of two or three, which we've been doing this weekend, before we present the reduced list to chief executive Niels De Vos.
That is, of course, if we don't decide there has been a candidate who has absolutely knocked our socks off.
The time scale has to be flexible as we will be going down to Swansea for the FA Cup replay on Tuesday and we want to see all those on the shortlist.
The quality of those applying for the job has been high and we are looking for someone who has a good UEFA coaching qualification.
First and foremost we are looking for someone who can help the team avoid relegation and keep us in this division.
Secondly, we want someone who can work well within the club's community operations as well the business side of Stockport County.
Publicity
There's been a bit of publicity about Paul Gascoigne applying for the job but he is not on the shortlist.
We simply thought there were better applicants from which to choose.
It was certainly a case of being thrown in the deep end when I took on the job of managing director a fortnight ago.
Sammy McIlroy's departure happened straight after my appointment and I have to say that Sammy handled the situation magnificently. I have a lot of respect for him.
I'd spent 18 years working with Granada Media before I joined Brian Kennedy's business.
I had always wanted to do something connected with football, which is my first love.
Brian offered me the job as managing director when it was decided Niels was spreading himself a little thinly between the Sale Sharks and County.
I don't actually believe County are treated as second-best to the Sharks, as some have suggested.
But there is the perception of that among people in the town and we have to change that and revive the club.
There's certainly no question that the quality of the team is better than its results but we hope the new manager can put that right before the end of the season. Tweet
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Prove it, thats all we ask!
As usual, averything that comes out of CS needs decoding. I think they are trying to find a manager who will appease the fans whilst being willing to work within the ridiculous financial constraints that CS will impose. Mr Taylor says at the end of this story that the team is much better than results suggest, how does he know he's probably only seen us a couple of times and the latest performances have been especially abismal.
They are also conning us about the principal of working within our income levels on a recurring basis, they imply that this means they can't spend any money on some better players because that is financial disaster if/when Mr Kennedy pulls the plug. This is nonsense, the costs that have to be controlled are the ongoing costs i.e, the wages, and getting a player on a free or on loan doesn't always mean mickey mouse wages, in the same way that spending a few quid to bring in establised players doesn't always mean high wages.
We all know that unless at least 3 better players are brought in soon we are doomed to the 3rd division, it is probably too late now. It will certainly be too late if CS appoint the wrong man because they have put the best managers ( Macmahon) off by telling them they will have no money to spend.