Newcastle Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna admits the search for a new coach has been stalled due to the A-League club still trying to come to terms with Scott Miller's sudden departure.
The Jets made a shock announcement to part ways with Miller after a falling out with the club during a preseason trip to China.
Miller's sacking comes as the Jets are due to face local club Edgeworth on Sunday before playing Melbourne City in Ballarat on Sept. 18 ahead of the A-League season kickoff.
"We've not started [looking] yet because this all came out of the blue yesterday and we've been putting out fires for the afternoon and this morning," McKinna told Fox Sports News.
The club has copped a backlash from fans over the decision to dump Miller with McKinna admitting he was a popular figure in the Hunter region.
Local media reports have suggested Miller had a falling out with assistant coach Luciano Trani during the China trip.
But McKinna said he couldn't comment because of a confidentiality clause.
He denied suggestions the coach had become frustrated at new Chinese owners at the club requesting he purchase a Chinese player.
"It was never on the owner's books that he had to sign a Chinese player if he wasn't good enough," McKinna said.
"It was a disagreement and differing of opinions about the direction of football at the club.
"There was no backing down so it came across and the club decided to move Scott Miller on."