Steve Cotterill, Mark Robins and Kevin MacDonald are the three candidates that have been interviewed for the Nottingham Forest manager's job, according to BBC Sports.
The Tricky Trees are believed to be reluctant to pay any compensation in landing their next manager, which would make a move for current Portsmouth boss Cotterill unlikely.
MacDonald is currently on the coaching staff at Aston Villa but the Premier League club are not expected to demand a high fee to allow the 50-year-old to depart.
The other man reportedly in the frame is Mark Robins, who has been out of work since resigning as Barnsley boss at the end of last season.
The job became available last week when Steve McClaren opted to step down from the position.
