DETROIT: Not long ago, General Motors as the biggest company in the United States could have attracted a legion of CEO candidates, but the automaker only looked within.

Now that it appears to be ready to look outside the company for a chief executive, analysts say the job may not attract the top talent needed to steer it.

"Bringing in an outsider is often the best way to get a quick and decisive turnaround," said Renny Ponvert, head of Management CV, an executive research firm.