A shortlist and an interview process suggests more than one option is being considered and that the club haven't simply headhunted somebody in particular, because shortlists and interviews are a bit redundant if you know exactly who you want and they are up for it.
I think I'm right in saying that you need permission to speak to anybody who is currently employed elsewhere, and when you combine that with the fact people don't tend to go after new jobs unless they know they are certain to get it for fear of annoying their current employers... well that doesn't really fit with having to go through a multiple candidate interview stage.
So I'm thinking open application which has resulted in a shortlist of mostly either unemployed or out of season managers? All, or most of which, may be women if Oatley is purposefully dropping hints rather than just speculating.