General Michael Hayden

Senior Bush administration officials say Air Force General Michael Hayden is the leading candidate to replace Porter Goss as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

The officials say an announcement on President Bush's nominee to replace Goss, who resigned Friday, could come Monday.

General Hayden currently serves as deputy to Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte, and was the former director of the National Security Agency. 

Goss stepped down after less than two years on the job.  No official reason was given, but the Washington Post reported that President Bush lost confidence in Goss, who was asked to resign.

The White House has denied the report.  A White House spokeswoman said Saturday the president had not lost confidence in Goss.  She said there was a "collective agreement" that a new CIA director could move the agency forward.

Porter Goss, left, with President Bush in the Oval Office, May 5, 2006

The spokeswoman praised Goss for helping transform the CIA in what she called "challenging times."

Goss has come under fire for his leadership of the agency.  Critics say many veteran officers quit after he brought in political allies to serve in key leadership positions.

In addition to Goss' resignation, the CIA's executive director, Kyle Foggo, is under an internal investigation for his ties to a defense contractor involved in the bribery scandal involving former Republican Representative Duke Cunningham.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.