Louis Mulqueen has indicated he does not wish to be considered for the Clare senior hurlers management job, leaving Brian Lohan as the sole remaining candidate.
Mulqueen and Lohan remained the only two names put forward when an extended nominations deadline passed on Monday, following a two-week delay.
Former co-manager Donal Moloney had previously withdrawn due to "uncertainty over the process", a development which led the Clare players to criticise the county board over how long it was taking them to make a decision.
Mulqueen, a selector with Davy Fitzgerald in the All-Ireland final triumph of 2013, is manager of Galway club side Liam Mellows, who he led to the county title in 2017.
In his statement to Clare GAA, Mulqueen hints that the managerial saga was a distraction ahead of Mellows' SHC semi-final clash with Cappataggle on Sunday.
"This week I am concentrating on the Galway Club semi-final," Mulqueen wrote.
"It has been an honour to have been nominated for the position of Clare senior hurling manager and I am grateful for the overwhelming support and good wishes coming in from all sources.
"I now, after careful consideration have decided that I am currently not in a position to allow my name to go forward. I wish the new manager and Clare hurling all the best."
Ironically, Galway are the only other elite hurling county without a manager having also had several candidates withdraw from the running.
Four-time All-Star and double All-Ireland winner Lohan will now expect to be ratified as manager.
His previous experience includes leading UL to a Fitzgibbon Cup in 2015.
