OXFORD United chairman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth wants to meet the remaining candidates for the manager role once more before making a final decision.

It is almost a fortnight since the Thai businessman, known as Tiger, took over the search after completing a takeover.

Overall the process has been going on for more than six weeks, with former Netherlands star Patrick Kluivert the latest to be vying for favouritism with bookmakers, alongside Steve McClaren and Brian McDermott.

In a statement released yesterday, Thanakarnjansuth insisted he shared supporters’ impatience, but would not be making a decision until a final meeting with the front-runners.

He said: “Obviously the fans want a new manager in place as quickly as possible – so do I.

“I have talked to some outstanding candidates over the last week or so and just want one more opportunity to meet them face to face towards the end of the week.

“I am not old school – I can communicate in a number of ways and am working every day on this and if we can conclude things quickly that’s great.”

Thanakarnjansuth’s previous comments on the search, released last Thursday, indicated he hoped an announcement could be made this week.

But the latest news raises the possibility that the new man may not be in place for Saturday’s crucial clash away to AFC Wimbledon.

United need a result to avoid being dragged further towards the Sky Bet League One relegation zone, just five points below them. But United’s owner is looking in the other direction.

He said: “If the right person comes in and makes that impact and we win ten out of 12 games then we can still make the play-offs.

“At the very least we will have a manager in place for the last ten or 11 games who will have a chance to get to know the players, the coaching staff and the club and be able to see the full picture so they are not starting from zero this summer.”

Thanakarnjansuth’s previous recruitment process saw Jaap Stam edge out Henk ten Cate to get the Reading job in 2016.

And another Dutchman has emer-ged, with Kluivert leading the betting.

The 41-year-old former Ajax and Barcelona striker has spent a decade coaching in a variety of roles, with the highest profile as Louis van Gaal’s assistant with the Netherlands national side for two years up to 2014.