Barnsley Football Club will begin interviewing new head coach candidates next week, according to chief executive Gauthier Ganaye.
After Paul Heckingbottom's shock move to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United earlier this week, applications for the vacant head coach role have already topped 100 and a 'credible shortlist' is being drawn up by the club.
The Reds are looking to appoint a permanent coach ahead of Burton Albion's visit to Oakwell on February 20.
"You have to expect the unexpected," Ganaye said.
"The opportunity arose for Paul to go to Leeds and I understand it was possibly too big for him to turn down.
"Although it did come as a shock, we respect his decision and wish him the best for the future. The focus is now to draw up a credible shortlist and not panic.
"The plan is to have someone in the post by the Burton game. We have had an incredible number of applications which shows just how attractive the Barnsley job is."
The Reds, who have been linked with names such as Mick McCarthy, Garry Monk and Simon Grayson, have appointed Paul Harsley as caretaker for tomorrow's crunch derby clash against Sheffield Wednesday.
Ganaye, who did not rule out Harsley taking over permanently, revealed the club has received as many overseas applications as ones from British-based coaches.
"We need someone who wants to be here for our exciting project," he added.
"The short-term goal is to stay in this division, but we want the next head coach to be here for the long-term.
"There's been links to a lot of coaches but we have had just as many applications come from the continent. If Paul Harsley applies, why would we not consider him? He knows the club and we trust him 100 per cent.
"Losing Paul Heckingbottom is not the end of the world. We could have done nothing more to keep him, but this is a very exciting time for Barnsley Football Club and a shortlist of five or ten names will be decided in the coming days."
