While the 49ers’ coaching search has seemingly shrunk to three candidates – Josh McDaniels, Kyle Shanahan and Tom Cable – the search for a general manager to pair with their new coach is still wide open.

It was reported earlier this week by NFL Media that Packers executives Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst were the favorites to replace Trent Baalke at San Francisco’s general manager post.

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this week reported the 49ers are favoring one Packers candidate over the other.

In a surprising development, sources close to the interviewing process said Gutekunst, the Packers’ director of player personnel, has emerged as the more attractive candidate in the eyes of the 49ers than Wolf, the team’s director of football operations. “(Gutekunst) just was really good in the interview,” one source said. “They were really impressed.” Gutekunst, 43, is nine years older than Wolf, and seasoning might be one of the 49ers’ major criteria. However, most of Gutekunst’s background has been scouting college players whereas Wolf’s recent workload was described by Thompson as more a blend of pro and college.

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“Brian is a totally different personality than Eliot,” said a mutual friend. “Brian is a sound guy. Takes it all in. Very business-like.” Wolf, 34, and his wife are expecting their first child in March. A graduate of Notre Dame High School in Green Bay, he is said to enjoy both life in Green Bay and his 13-year career working for the Packers.

Wolf has been considered one of the most intriguing names linked to the 49ers given his pedigree. As the son of Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf, he’s been talked about as one of the league’s premier up-and-coming executives, despite his young age. The obvious concern is his relative inexperience.

Gutekunst was promoted to director of player personnel last year, the same time Wolf was promoted to director of football operations. Gutekunst has spent 18 years with the Packers, including 13 as a college scout. He was named the director of college scouting in 2012 before his promotion last spring.

Wolf’s background has been more on the pro personnel side. He’s been in Green Bay’s pro personnel department since 2004. During the season, he’s tasked with scouting upcoming opponents and evaluating free agents.

“That’s a tough situation,” said one of (Wolf’s) friends. “He’s always going to be the son of Ron Wolf. I don’t know if he wants to do that forever (in Green Bay).” Wolf wanted to interview for the GM job in Detroit last year but Thompson, taking advantage of a timing issue, was able to block the Lions’ request. The Packers didn’t stand in Wolf’s way when the 49ers came calling, and there seems little doubt that he’d accept the job if owner Jed York were to offer it.

The 49ers announced on Friday they interviewed Cardinals executive Terry McDonough for the opening.

McDonough is seventh candidate to interview for the position, joining ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, Minnesota assistant GM George Paton, Colts vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III, Panther assistant GM Brandon Beane, Wolf and Gutekunst.

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Paton was interviewed Friday, Ray Sunday and Beane Monday. Interviews with Seahawks co-directors of player personnel Scott Fitterer and Trent Kirchner are scheduled for Monday. It’s believed that Fitterer or Kirchner would pair with Cable given their Seattle connections.

McDaniels is considered a favorite to land the 49ers’ coaching job. It’s believed he’d pair with Riddick as the two have had conversations for more than a year possibly about joining forced with a new team. The MMQB’s Albert Breer reported this week that McDaniels has a “fantastic shot” at landing with San Francisco.

It’s unclear which coaching candidate Gutekunst, Wolf or the other GM candidates would prefer. McGinn wrote that Shanahan could be the candidate to pair with either Packers executive.

Neither Shanahan nor McDaniels can be hired until the Falcons or Patriots conclude their seasons. Atlanta hosts Seattle on Saturday before New England plays Houston in the divisional round of the playoffs.