"I see there's all kinds of interesting posts and some 'demands' about whom I should work with," posted Coverdale on the group's website. "As always, I sincerely thank you all for your generosity, but, with all due respect, I'll be making the decision who the band and I are going to work with."

"It's a very simple process," he continued. "I guarantee it will be a very gifted guitarist who plays great and sings great, works well in a team, someone who appreciates Whitesnake music and a player whom we feel will help us take Whitesnake to the next level in as many ways as possible... without unnecessary distractions. I hope you can appreciate this fact."