Jack Cooney looks set to take charge of the Westmeath footballers - and become the county's first native manager in 26 years.
The committee appointed by the Westmeath County board to recommend a new manager will put forward Cooney's name for ratification at a county board meeting on Wednesday week.
Cooney, a former Westmeath player, has managed Rhode, Newbridge and home club Coralstown/Kinnegad in recent times.
He was a selector under Páidí Ó Sé when the Kerryman led Westmeath to their first and only Leinster title in 2004 and a coach/selector with Rory Gallagher in Donegal.
He will become the first Westmeath native to manage the team since Brian Murtagh in the early 90s.
County board chairman Billy Foley is hopeful Cooney will get the backing of Westmeath clubs.
"I am delighted that the selection committee have chosen Jack as our next football manager," he said.
"We hope all clubs will get behind us now in selecting our first native manager in many years."
Colin Kelly resigned from the post in the aftermath of the county’s 11-point defeat to Armagh in round one of the 2018 football qualifiers back in June.
