Johan Ackermann was expected to be a shoe-in to replace John Mitchell as Lions head coach, but he may have some competition.

This website can reveal, exclusively, that the Golden Lions Rugby Union will start advertising the position of head coach on Wednesday.

It comes in the same week that the GLRU hope to wrap up the unpleasant coaching saga involving the former All Black coach, Mitchell.

New Zealanders John Mitchell (head coach), Carlos Spencer (backs/attack coach) and Wayne Taylor (conditioning coach), who were roped in by the GLRU midway through 2010, were all shown the door earlier this year.

Mitchell has been involved in a protracted arbitration dispute with the GLRU since the fall-out, after complaints from senior players and the GLRU management.

He is currently with Sale Sharks - the English Premiership club based in the Greater Manchester - as a consultant.

Mitchell is expected to join the Sharks full time in due course.

Regardless the outcome of his arbitration hearing with the GLRU, it is a fact that his position will be vacant soon and Ackermann - who was the 'caretaker coach' during the latter stages of the Super Rugby season and throughout then Currie Cup competition - is the favourite to become the team's full-time head coach for next year.

Although the GLRU will go through he formal process of advertising the position, this website has been informed that Ackermann remains the preferred candidate for the GLRU.

However, legally they are required to go through the process of advertising the position.

By Jan de Koning