Aston Villa are set to approach Norwich City with a view to talking to manager Paul Lambert about the club's vacant managerial role, after the Scot reportedly walked out on the club.
Villa are scouring for a new manager after owner Randy Lerner sacked Alex McLeish after just one season at Villa Park, following just seven Premier League wins in 2011/12.
When questioned on Villa possibly making an approach for him last week, Lambert became irate with a reporter, while conjecture has surrounded his position since the season finale.
Lerner spoke with Molde boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over potentially succeeding McLeish, after the former Manchester United striker guided the club to their first ever league title in his debut season.
However the Norwegian has opted to stay in his homeland, citing his family's well-being as a key factor.
McLeish was a long way down the pecking order when appointed last summer, after the Villans were rejected by Roberto Martinez and also considered Steve McClaren.
“Blue nose scum” and “SOTC” (s**t on the City) - references to McLeish managing Birmingham - were daubed on the brickwork outside of the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground ahead of his appointment in 2011.
Lambert, 42, meanwhile steered Norwich to 12th in the table in Norwich's return to the top flight after six years, following two successive promotions from the Football League.
The Canaries won 12 matches and yielded 47 points under the impressive Scot, managing his fourth British club in seven years.
Ironically, Lambert's final game in the Carrow Road hot seat may have come against Villa in a 2-0 win. His final match as Colchester United manager was also a 7-1 victory at Norwich before he switched to the East Anglia club.
HuffPost UK Sport understands Grant Holt, who handed in a transfer request shortly after Norwich's final day win against Villa, would be keen to follow his manager to Villa Park.
UPDATE: Norwich have confirmed Lambert has now offered his resignation.
A statement on the club's website read: "The Club regrets to confirm that Paul Lambert has offered his resignation from his position as Norwich City Manager.
"We have fought hard to keep Paul at Norwich City and have not accepted his resignation whilst discussions with another club are taking place.
However, whatever happens, we want to place on record our sincere gratitude for everything Paul has done for the Club over the last three fantastic seasons."