St Mirren CEO Keith Lasley says the process to appoint a new manager is under way but stresses the club will take their time to find the right candidate.
Craig McLeish and Jamie Langfield will lead the team on an interim basis following Stephen Robinson's move to Aberdeen but Lasley is hopeful of a permanent successor being appointed sooner rather than later.
"That's kicked off already," Lasley said of the hunt for a new manager.
"These things move quickly, we will look to move as quickly as we can to appoint the next permanent manager but we also want to give ourselves the time to make sure that process is thorough and includes what it needs to to make sure it's the right appointment."
The Buddies are 10th in the Premiership, three points above Kilmarnock and 10 clear of Livingston at the bottom.
While league form has been poor, the League Cup winners could still complete a domestic double with a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic on the horizon.
And Lasley stresses the club are keen to have their new man in the door to help them end this season on a high.
"We need someone to come in and have an immediate impact," he added.
"Help us get the results we require in the league and also the excitement around the semi-final, somebody who would come in and relish that challenge and take that on.
"Longer term we want somebody that's going to drive the club forward. It's really important we make sure this appointment is the right one for the long term, take on the fantastic work that has been done to move the club on to another exciting period.
"At this early stage nothing has been ruled out. As the process moves forward we will consider who we feel is the best candidate.
"We've got a set of criteria we think is really important for us to move forward as a club. That will remain private but it's the right person we're looking for and we'll make sure we look at all avenues.
"We're not going to put a strict timeline on it at the moment. The interim team will take the game on Sunday, we will look to update supporters and staff as we go.
"It goes without saying we want to make the appointment as quickly as we can because we are aware there is an immediate challenge."
