Alan Shearer has denied making demands of the Newcastle United board as the striking legend continues discussions regarding taking full-time charge of The Magpies.
Shearer was unable to prevent his boyhood club from suffering relegation to The Championship, but his eight-game tenure as caretaker manager has left the 38-year-old hankering for more.
The challenge of guiding Newcastle back to The Premier League is one Shearer would relish but he is unwilling to commit to the project without first having assurances regarding the transfer funds that would be made available.
The situation is complicated by owner Mike Ashley’s wish to sell the club, but Shearer is confident that there will be more developments before the end of the week.
Shearer said in a statement: "I met Mike Ashley and [managing director] Derek Llambias last week and we discussed at length the future of Newcastle United and my desire to be the manager moving forward.
"I made no demands but there were obvious conditions. We simply proposed an honest evaluation of what was needed to get the club back into the Premiership whilst building solid foundations for the future.
On Ashley's proposed sale of the club, Shearer added: "I fully understand Mike Ashley's decision to sell the club as he feels it's now in the best interests of the club and the fans.
"I hope to know more by the end of the week."
Magpies defender Claudio Cacapa, meanwhile, is to leave the Tyneside club upon the expiry of his contract.
The Brazilian signed a two-year deal with the club when he joined from Lyon in 2007 but has rarely impressed in 25 Premier League appearances and spent the conclusion of the season just gone laid low by injury.
“On June 30, my contract with Newcastle ends and I can talk to any club. Of course I have many opportunities,” said Cacapa, who has held talks with former club Atletico Mineiro about a return to Brazil.