Alex Rae off the radar in Shrewsbury boss search

The 47-year-old earlier this week registered his interest in replacing Micky Mellon as Greenhous Meadow boss.

Rae is well known by chief executive Brian Caldwell with the pair having worked together at St Mirren.

But the Shropshire Star understands the former Sunderland and Rangers man is not being considered for the post.

Alongside chairman Roland Wycherley and director James Hughes, Caldwell will ultimately decide who takes the reins.

The club have whittled down more than 100 candidates to 10, with Caldwell admitting he hopes to be interviewing between three and five candidates as the search concludes.

Caldwell, who oversaw four managerial changes during his time at St Mirren, conceded the search has been a challenge.

"It is a very, very hard decision," said Caldwell.

"Yes you feel pressure, but that's football. Every day is pressure. That's why we love it so much, isn't it?

"I believe that my own experience will help the club no matter what. Whether through this interview process or through the training ground or commercially. I have confidence in my own ability. Whether the managerial position and the candidate we select is the right one or not – that is unfortunately the nature of football.

"I've been there before with managers that have worked and those that haven't – that's the nature."

The chief executive confirmed the search has proved a 24/7 task – a sacrifice part and parcel for a man in his position.

He added: "My poor wife is used to it. She knows in football, the phone never stops and the emails still come in thick and fast. She appreciates it, to be fair I've got to be grateful to her, she's really understanding of the circumstances when the phone's going as I come back from work or during dinner – you can never get away from it.

"You're still trying to do your normal daily routine, your normal business, but at the same time this just takes over."