Steve Bruce believes managing Aston Villa would be "a terrific job" and hopes to hear if he will be appointed by the club this week.
The former Birmingham and Hull manager has held initial discussions with Villa and is now considered the leading contender for the position along with current caretaker boss Steve Clarke.
"I've had a chat with them. That's as far as it's gone,'' Bruce told Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday. "They did say they're in a process, which you have to respect. I'm hoping that I hear something this week. It would be a terrific job.
"I'm sure everybody would agree that it's one of the big clubs of this country. It needs a little bit of turning round at the moment, but they've got a huge support and it's a big, big club. Let's hope I hear something.''
Bruce spent almost six years at Villa's city rivals Birmingham and has been out of work since leaving Hull in July.
Villa, who play Wolves on Saturday, are looking for a new manager after sacking Roberto Di Matteo just 12 games into his reign following a poor start to the season.
Another favourite for the Villa job, David Wagner, appears to be out of the reckoning after his chairman at Huddersfield, Dean Hoyle, said he would not be leaving the club.
Former West Brom boss Clarke, who joined the Villa coaching staff in the summer, is also thought to be in contention with the club impressed at how players have responded to him.
Villa, relegated from the Premier League last season, are currently 19th in the Championship.