With multiple lawsuits being prepared in the U.S. on the back of Volkswagen’s admission of cheating the emissions figures of their diesel engines, more heads are likely to roll at the top higher level of the company.

However, one name has come to the fore as replacement for CEO Martin Winkerkorn who stepped down from the job following the crisis.

Porsche boss Matthias Mueller is the name on everyone’s lips and while he may not have lobbied openly for the job, all bets are off for him to take over the giant car manufacturer at their most difficult time in the history of the company.

Reuters are reporting that sources are claiming that Mueller, VW's former head product strategist, is backed by a majority on VW's 20-member supervisory board, which is expected to endorse him as new CEO immediately.

Mueller, who trained as a toolmaker before studying information technology, has worked for parts of the VW empire since the 1970s, experience that was seen as one of the decisive factors in getting the job. He also enjoys the support of the Porsche-Piech family who own the majority of the voting rights in VW.

Mueller, promoted to VW's executive board in March, had been viewed as a favourite of family patriarch Ferdinand Piech who reportedly sought to install him as VW CEO in place of Winterkorn earlier this year.

Winterkorn survived a power struggle that saw Piech himself forced to step down as company chairman and his job looked secure until the emissions scandal broke last week.

Under his leadership, Porsche has expanded and expects to increase sales to 200,000 vehicles this year.