CITY chairman Roger Munby has revealed the calibre of candidates who have applied to fill the vacant manager's position at Carrow Road.

Speaking at Thursday night's Annual General Meeting, Munby said the Club had been contacted by "former international players, current international managers, Premiership managers, experienced Championship managers and up-and-coming managers" all interested in the role vacated by Peter Grant last week.

In his opening speech to the hundreds of shareholders who gathered inside the Norfolk Lounge at the stadium, Munby added that the Board's search for Grant's replacement would be "robust and thorough" in a bid to "secure the best available man for the job in the shortest possible time".

Jim Duffy currently takes charge of the Canaries as caretaker manager and will do so for at least the next two games as interviews for the new boss run into next week. After his speech, Munby revealed the Club had received more than 50 applications in the two to three days after Grant left his post by mutual consent.

Munby added that no-one on the Board deemed City's current position in the bottom three of the Championship as acceptable and that current difficulties on the pitch "hurt".

Roger Munby's AGM speech can be read in full below.

"Hello and welcome to the Norwich City Football Club AGM for 2007 at what all of us recognise as a challenging time for your football club. At the usual Q&A which follows the formal business, I'm looking forward to some insights and input from shareholders - through your questions and observations. Off the field the Club continues to work ceaselessly to meet the challenge of life outside the Premiership. On the field things have to change and improve. Your thoughts later, and we are looking forward to those.

"Challenging times yes - in all respects except revenue :we are ahead of budget - in match receipts, catering, sponsorships and merchandise - ahead of budget and almost - not quite - on a par with last year. That's commitment - from our public and corporate fans alike - and, from the bottom of our hearts, let me thank you, our supporters, without whom there would be no Norwich City.

"Let me first of all acknowledge the tremendous effort and self-sacrifice that Peter Grant - and his family - have made during the last 12 months, and the measure of the man was well summarised in a quote in last Sunday's press, when he told reporters after the defeat at QPR: "I have to assess if it's the right job for me to do because I want to grow old - and I don't want to be old at 42". One newspaper commented that it's a shame that such candour is a rare thing.

"Your Board have learned lessons too, which are being built into our business strategy for the months ahead - and crucially the criteria and selection process for the next manager.

"Meanwhile, Jim Duffy has extensive experience to see us through, to stabilise feelings in the squad and to finish the rehabilitation of injured players. And he needs our universal support to make the most of his caretaker role - I'm sure all will give him that in the interest of the Club and it's fans.

"Andrew Turner will address you later in our formal business to talk about the fresh perspective, energy and direction he and his wife Sharon have injected into proceedings at the Club since their arrival in May.

"For my part I wanted to focus on a subject on everyone's lips at the moment - namely who will be the next manager of this great club?

"The Board is united in ensuring the search for Peter's replacement is as robust and thorough as possible and we are already well into the process. We must simply undertake to secure the best available man for the job in the shortest possible time.

"What I can report is the very high quality of applications, including former international players, current international managers, Premiership managers, experienced Championship managers and up-and-coming managers cutting a dash in the early stages of their careers.

"This says very positive things about national perceptions of NCFC and the efforts of your Board, in building on previous high points, to preserve and enhance our national reputation over the past 10 years. It is all too easy to become introspective about a football club, looking only from the inside-out : The depth and quality of the list of applicants for the Carrow Road hotseat is a unique opportunity to see ourselves as others see us : and I'm here to tell you that picture is very attractive indeed.

"Our freedom to attract and retain the services of a high calibre individual - and his staff - and provide some funds for team strengthening - is thanks in no small part to the fiscal custodial and commercial policies of the Board which have guided the Club's development off the pitch over the past decade.

"Virtually every applicant for the job quotes big crowds, great stadium, top training facilities, solid finances, a supportive Board and an excellent national reputation, as key and compelling reasons for wanting our job.

"That is how others see us ; we are not, and will not be, a small provincial football club.

"And, just for the record, no-one on the Board thinks that the current league position is anything other than totally unacceptable. We are fans and our current difficulties on the pitch hurt.

"We are determined therefore to do everything we can to support the playing and coaching staff at Colney.

"We believe we have a good squad in place; excellent facilities at Colney and Carrow Road, committed and hard working staff at both centres, unparalleled passion and loyalty amongst our supporters and a Board determined to be as ambitious as possible without being reckless.