Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv will seek another foreign manager after the departure of Slavisa Jokanovic to Fulham.
Former Espanyol boss Sergio Gonzales who left the La Liga side last month after a run of bad results is among the frontrunners but owner Mitch Goldhar has reportedly ruled out the two Israeli coaches that were in the frame – outgoing Israel national team manager Eli Guttman and former Charlton boss Guy Luzon.
It has been agreed that assistant coach Javier Pereira will run the team until a new manager is appointed and then he will team up with Jokanovic again at Craven Cottage.
Jokanovic told the Maccabi players he was leaving the club immediately after Sunday night's 5-0 victory over Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, which saw them leapfrog Hapoel Beersheva back to the top of Ligat Ha'al.
While Jokanovic was a hero in the summer when he led Maccabi to the Champions League Group Stage for the first time since 2004, the relationship with players and fans soured in recent months when the Israeli champions failed to pick up a point in the tournament.
Over the past week, there was anger against Jokanovic for wanting to leave for a club placed near the relegation zone in the Championship. Jokanovic reportedly told friends that he sought a greater challenge and that the work at Maccabi was "too easy."
Maccabi will receive around £370,000 in compensation from Fulham for allowing Jokanovic to break his contract.