Brian Mullins, the favourite for the vacant Dublin senior football manager's position, has withdrawn his application.
The current UCD Director of Sport was the only candidate officially interviewed for the post, vacated by Tommy Lyons last September.
It is thought that Mullins, 50, failed to reach agreement with the Dublin County Board on certain managerial arrangements.
Former Galway manager John O'Mahony, St Sylvesters coach Brian Talty and former Lyons selector Dave Billings are amongst the others who have been publicly linked with the position.
Mullins, who was at the heart of Dublin's midfield in their All-Ireland wins in 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1983, previously managed Dublin in 1985 - together with former playing colleagues Robbie Kelleher and Sean Doherty - but stepped down after the losing the Leinster final to Meath the following summer.
The Dublin County Board cited a "a disparity of opinion on too many issues" for his decision not to take the job.
And in a statement released today, the Board have re-affirmed their commitment to see Tommy Lyons' successor in place sooner rather than later, with Dublin's footballers managerless and without any training since September.
"The County Board are committed to appointing a senior football management team and the Executive will meet tomorrow morning (Monday) and progress the issue," reads the statement.
"We are confident of concluding the mater within the next ten days and most importantly have our players return to squad training.
