ANDREW McDonald appears all but certain to become Victoria’s and the Melbourne Renegades’ next senior coach.

While Cricket Victoria maintains no formal decision has been made, Foxsports.com.au understands McDonald has been offered both jobs following David Saker’s departure last month.

Saker was appointed Australia’s bowling coach, creating a vacancy at both the BBL franchise and the Bushrangers.

Now all that remains is for McDonald to accept the positions, a scenario that may be delayed given his current role as Leicestershire’s senior coach. The issue was discussed at a Cricket Victoria board meeting on Monday night.

The 35-year-old took the reins at the Division 2 County Club in November 2014. They currently sit fourth on the four-day ladder but bottom of the T20 and one-day Cup tables.

“We’re continuing to speak to candidates but by no means is anything confirmed,” Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide told Foxsports.com.au on Wednesday morning.

“We’ll look to make an announcement regarding the head coaching position with the Bushrangers as soon as we’re in a position to do so.”

Andrew McDonald, Coach of Leicesterhsire County Cricket Team. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Cricket Victoria Operations Manager Shaun Graf scoured the United Kingdom for replacements following Saker’s departure, with Matthew Mott, Chris Rogers and even Shane Warne floated as potential candidates.

But ultimately it appears McDonald is Cricket Victoria’s preferred choice on a deal that may be worth as many as three years. And the Renegades, who are skippered by one of McDonald’s close friends Aaron Finch, have followed suit.

In order for him to accept the role, he must first navigate a suitable exit clause with Leicestershire.

It is believed the delay in appointing a new senior coach (Saker got the nod from Cricket Australia four weeks ago) has led to some internal frustrations among the playing group with the Matador Cup just two months away.

In the interim, no one assistant has stepped up and led pre-season training, with ex-WA coach Lachlan Stevens and batting coach David Hussey sharing the duties alongside other assistants and senior players.

There have also been concerns recently over the lack of training ground availability, with Victoria’s squad forced away from the MCG over the past fortnight due to the International Champions Cup soccer tournament.

If and when McDonald accepts the role, he will join the state he represented for 13 years.

The all-rounder made 4,825 first-class runs and took 201 wickets in a career that also yielded four Test matches — all against South Africa in 2009.

He most recently played for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, had stints at South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers, and also represented the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

Victoria opens its Matador Cup campaign against South Australia at the WACA on October 5.

Tom Morris is on Twitter: @tommorris32