Holland boss Louis van Gaal is set to depart after the World Cup, with only a Premier League job likely to stop him retiring all together.
The 61-year-old said on Friday he will leave his post with the Dutch national team after the 2014 tournament in Brazil, having grown tired of the nature of his work at an international level.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of his side's summer trip to Asia, Van Gaal told reporters: "I took over as national coach with the ambition of going to a World Cup or a European Championship.
"That I have never done before and I'm doing everything to make sure I can achieve that. After that I will leave. I'm constantly having to borrow other coach's players. That I don't enjoy."
Calling time on a career which has taken in the likes of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich may well be on his agenda, but he added: "Unless a nice Premier League side comes along... If that happens, I will have to discuss it with my wife."
Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has been linked with the manager's post at City for some time but he confirmed there is still no done deal between himself and the Barclays Premier League club.
However Al Mubarak has now set a timeframe for the new appointment and the criteria the club is looking for ahead of next season's bid to regain the league title.
"We obviously want sustainable success for this club and (picking the manager) is absolutely the most important decision for a football club," Mubarak told mcfc.co.uk in an interview released on Friday but recorded on Monday, following City's 5-3 win over Chelsea in New York.
"The type of person we would like running our football team is someone with great man-management capability and the ability to get the best out of the talent we have, get the best out of the youth we have and establish and continue a systematic approach from the youth team to the elite team and reserves.
"We have a wonderful team running this process internally (to select a new manager) and are putting a very comprehensive process in place.
"They have created a shortlist of managers who fit that criteria and we are pretty much done. We are very close. I expect to make an appointment probably in the next two weeks."
Whether the man to fit the role will be Pellegrini remains to be seen after the 59-year-old Chilean spoke earlier this week of having a "verbal commitment" with the Blues.
He stressed, though, that no contract had been signed, something he reiterated at a press conference where he was previewing Malaga's Primera Division final-day away clash with champions Barcelona on Saturday - a game he has already announced will be his last with the Andalusian club.
Asked if he had reached an agreement with City, Pellegrini said: "Not yet. Next Monday we will see where I go.
"On Sunday I finish my contract here with Malaga and on Monday we will start to see where I go next season."
Al Mubarak was clear with his reasons for wanting a new man in the City dugout after a mostly frustrating season.
"We all felt it was time for a change," he said. "Our expectations were to come in and achieve more and move forward.
"I don't think we have achieved that this year and that is why we have to re-focus this summer on getting us back on track and again to winning ways. We are a club that has been designed to win Championships. We are here to win, to play beautiful football
"Roberto has done a great job for the club and everybody associated with Manchester City should be deeply appreciative of everything Roberto has done for this club.
"He's won us the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League, the Charity Shield. It's been a wonderful ride and Roberto has done an incredible job.
"I have the highest regard for Roberto as a coach, as a manager and as a friend and he will always be someone I will deeply regard as a good friend and a manager.
"But it was time for City for a change. We need something new. We need a change of direction and a decision was made that it was time to part ways.
"I wish Roberto all the best. He's a good manager and I will always be a friend for Roberto but it's time now to look at the new season, to prepare for the new season and to bring in a new manager for the club to continue this journey we have started and hopefully to take us to a whole new level."
Ireland were left facing a major test after defender Sean McGinty was dismissed for a foul on Youssef Toutouh early in the second half.
However, they managed to hold out to claim a morale-boosting share of the spoils in Fredericia.
In a game played in blistering heat, Ireland created a handful of chances on the break despite their numerical disadvantage against a side King always believed would give them just the kind of test they needed ahead of the start of the new European Championship qualifying campaign in August.
Blackburn defender Anthony O'Connor went close with a 60th-minute header from Sean Murray's free-kick, but it was Aston Villa midfielder Samir Carruthers who came close to snatching victory 12 minutes from time.
He homed in on substitute Michael Harriman's dangerous low cross but was unable to connect in front of goal.
However, keeper Sean McDermott, who replaced Aaron McCarey at the break, had to make two late saves from Bassel Jradi to deny the Danes a win in a rousing conclusion to the game.
Ireland, who finished third behind Italy and Turkey in qualification for this summer's finals in Israel, open their new campaign in the Faroe Islands on August 14 and then face Germany at home the following month.
An independent inquiry was commissioned by the Rangers board after former owner Whyte alleged he was involved in the Green-led consortium's purchase of the club's business and assets after liquidation was confirmed last summer.
The allegations were accompanied by taped recordings of conversations between Whyte, Green and the now former commercial director Imran Ahmad.
Green denied he had ever been a "front man" for Whyte - who received a life ban from the Scottish Football Association over his running of Rangers - and claimed he and Ahmad had told Whyte what he wanted to hear because they needed his co-operation to acquire shares if the club had secured a Company Voluntary Arrangement.
Green's version of events appeared to be backed by the findings of the inquiry, which was carried out by law firm Pinsent Masons and overseen by Roy Martin QC.
Asked if he felt vindicated, Green told talkSPORT: "I've always said that what went on, we did to get the club secure. I've always said Craig Whyte was not involved.
"We might be fighting Craig Whyte for the next 10 years. It's just mind-blowing.
"But the reality is that Rangers are secure and are moving forward.
"I've nothing to be guilty of. What I did over the period of 12 months at Rangers was something I'm proud of.
"I left because the club needed to move forward.
"There were constant, daily items of press and media about Craig Whyte.
"Rangers were never going to be able to move forward until that was gone.
"As we've seen from this report, everyone now is clear, apart from one man, who is completely delusional.
"It's just something that has to be brought to an end otherwise this club and the fans and the institution that it is are going to be hampered fighting spurious claims for the next God knows how long. It's not right."
Green resigned as chief executive in April as a result of the "negative publicity" but strenuously denied any wrongdoing at the time.
He said today: "I'm just disappointed I couldn't have stayed to finish what I started.
"I had some great plans for the club and they're all now in ashes."
He added: "I'm never finished with Rangers - I got addicted. It does get hold of you. I'm a one-club man."
Green backed the appointment of former boss Walter Smith as the club's non-executive chairman.
He said: "Walter's announcement yesterday is a fantastic thing.
"I got Walter to join the board before I left. I'd asked him twice beforehand.
"He is now where I believe is his rightful place as the statesman of the club.
"Walter is not the businessman to run it, that's a different job, but that's what Rangers are needing is safe hands.
"I think it's great the club are moving forward. It's not about me, it's not about Charles Green, it's about Rangers."
Smith, who replaced Malcolm Murray at the helm, admits he was surprised by his new role at Rangers.
He told Sky Sports News: "I'm looking forward to the challenge. It simply wasn't one I was expecting and it wasn't one I was looking for.
"When it comes around, it's always an honour to represent the club in any way, shape or form.
"To be the chairman is something I never expected to happen. I look forward to it now."
