KEITH Millen will almost certainly have a part to play in Bristol City's next managerial team.

Put in charge of first-team affairs on a caretaker basis following the departure from the club last month of Gary Johnson, the Londoner has helped inspire a remarkable transformation in fortunes.

Not only has Millen seen off the threat of relegation, he has overseen a six-match unbeaten run, which has lifted City to ninth in the Championship table and raised the possibility of a late charge towards the play-offs.

The players have declared their support for him and it is understood Millen has already been assured of a position in any new management structure.

Faced with making one of the most important decisions in the club's recent history, chairman Steve Lansdown will this week conclude his interviews with prospective new managers.

And he is considering two options. One is to appoint an experienced director of football and install Millen as first-team manager. The other is to bring in a new manager from outside and allow Millen to work as his assistant.

Lansdown met with Millen last week to discuss those options and the caretaker boss described the talks as "extremely positive".

Speaking in the wake of Saturday's 1-0 victory over Swansea City, Millen said: "No names were mentioned, because that is the chairman's business. I don't need to know who has applied and who is being interviewed.

"But I'm sure that, once the chairman has spoken to those people, we will sit down and discuss the available options.

"We need some experience here and it will be down to the chairman to decide what position that experience fills. He is looking at marrying two positions together and we think that is the best way forward.

"Hopefully, he will involve me in the discussions and I will be very disappointed if I am not considered.

"I've enjoyed these six games in charge and I feel I'm experienced and knowledgeable enough to do the manager's job. But I also enjoy the coaching side of things and, however the chairman chooses to balance it, hopefully I will be a part of it."

Recalling his meeting with Lansdown in Guernsey last week, Millen said: "I asked him what his ideal scenario would be and what would be his dream team. He immediately flipped it round on to me and asked me for my thoughts.

"We then went through everything concerning the club, from the first-team squad, to the staff to the academy. I've been here a long time and he wants to know my opinion."

City have won four and drawn two of their six games under Millen and Johnson's former assistant has made it virtually impossible for the chairman to ignore his claims.

Former Reading, Crystal Palace and Brentford boss Steve Coppell remains the bookmakers' favourite, while out-of-work managers Alan Curbishley, Tony Mowbray, George Burley and Alan Shearer have all featured in the betting.

Of those managers in work, Doncaster's Sean O'Driscoll, Southampton's Alan Pardew and Steve McClaren, in charge of Dutch league leaders FC Twente, have been touted as possible successors to Johnson.

Millen will again be in charge when City travel to Scunthorpe United next Saturday, after which an announcement is expected.

Providing Lansdown can find a director of football or a manager prepared to work with Millen, the new man could be in place before City meet Derby County at Ashton Gate in their final home game of the season on April 24.