Millwall chief executive Andy Ambler has played down speculation claiming that the club are poised to appoint Markus Babbel as their next manager.

Reports earlier today had suggested that the Championship club were expected to name the former Hoffenheim boss as Kenny Jackett's replacement at The Den.

However, Ambler has played down talk that the German is the favourite for the job.

"It is true we now have shortlist of some half-a-dozen candidates and the interviewing process will begin at the end of this week," Ambler told Millwall's official website.

"No decision is likely to be made within the next 10 days or so, and indeed I would anticipate that we would speak to some candidates more than once before we are ready to make an appointment.

"The reality is that the process is just getting under way and at this stage there is no preferred candidate."

Babbel has been out of work since being sacked by Hoffenheim in December last year.