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BAYER TAKE TIME OVER SEARCH

Bayer Leverkusen director of sport Rudi Voller insists they will not rush into picking a new coach, although an appointment could be imminent.

Leverkusen severed ties with Michael Skibbe earlier this week and were believed to be interested in Jurgen Klopp, who was appointed as coach of Borussia Dortmund on Thursday.

According to Germany's Bild newspaper, former Schalke coach Mirko Slomka is now the number one candidate, and preliminary talks have already taken place.

Voller revealed that he is in negotiations with someone, but would not reveal his identity.

"We are currently in talks, but a decision will not be made until the start of next week at the earliest," he said.

"We are not going to make a panic appointment."

Slomka was sacked by Schalke in April after crashing out of the Champions League to Barcelona in the quarter-final stage.

In his first full year in charge in Gelsenkirchen, the 40-year-old came close to clinching their first ever Bundesliga title, losing top spot only on the penultimate day of the season.

Despite European disappointment, Slomka did well domestically, keeping the Royal Blues on course for a place in next season's Champions League before he was given the boot.

While these achievements may not have been fully recognised by Schalke, he could well have the characteristics Leverkusen are looking for as they bid to return to the top five next season.

"We need somebody who can bring some new fire to the club, who can motivate the players," said Voller.

SportingLife.com