Celtic have applied for an exemption with UEFA in their bid to appoint Ange Postecoglou as their next manager.
But the formal process means the 55-year-old may not be in place when the Celtic players return for pre-season training on June 18.
The Yokohama F. Marinos boss does not hold the required UEFA Pro Licence which is mandatory for coaches in frontline roles at the highest level of European football.
But Celtic have applied for a 'recognition of competence' for Postecoglou, citing his 25 years of experience in the game.
A UEFA spokesperson told Sky Sports: 'Mr Postecoglou does not currently hold the UEFA Pro Licence.
'A recognition of competence procedure has been initiated. The process could take several weeks. We don't have any further information to provide at this stage.'
Greek-born Australian Postecoglou has emerged as the clear front-runner after talks with Eddie Howe broke down.
The 55-year-old doesn't hold the correct qualification on the account of his lack of managerial experience within Europe.
Despite a 25-year career, he has only spent 10 months of that working in Europe - and that while in charge of Greek third division outfit Panachaiki in 2008.
His only other coaching spell outside of Australia has been his current spell at Japanese outfit Yokohama F Marinos - where he has been in the hotseat for the past three years.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard didn't have a UEFA Pro licence when he took charge of the Ibrox club but he had begun it before his appointment in 2017 and completed it a year later.
