THE man who cleaned up the Melbourne Storm salary cap mess has emerged as the front-runner to oversee a similar makeover at Essendon.

Ron Gauci, who left the Storm after a change of ownership in May, is believed to be the favoured candidate for the CEO position at Windy Hill.



Acting Essendon CEO Ray Gunston announced on Monday that he wouldn’t be seeking the role on a permanent basis.



Former Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood, who is a passionate Essendon supporter and close friend of James Hird, is the other leading candidate.



Gauci, who is also being considered by St Kilda for its chief executive position, earnt rave reviews for his work in re-building the Storm after the club was rocked by the salary cap scandal.



He took over the job in 2010 and was seen as a driving force behind the Storm’s 2012 premiership success.



Gauci was given five years to ready Storm for private ownership and did it within three.



He also pulled off a major coup by persuading coach Craig Bellamy to re-sign with the club.



The Bombers are keen to get the final piece of its administration in place now that its football department is settled following the appointment of former Crow Nathan Bassett as an assistant coach.



Bassett, who played 210 games with Adelaide, has had great success with SANFL club Norwood leading them to back to back premierships in 2012-2013.