Nathan Jones sacked: Who will become the next manager of Stoke City? Latest candidates and betting odds
Stoke are on the hunt for a new manager following the sacking of Nathan Jones on Friday.
Stoke's start to the 2019/20 campaign has seen just two wins in 14 Championship games, with only goal difference keeping them off bottom spot.
Since taking the job in January, Jones managed to record six victories in 38 attempts - posting a 16% win ratio.
In a statement, Jones said: "I would like to thank John and Peter Coates, firstly for the opportunity to manage this Football Club and then for the continued support and patience throughout my time here.
"I would also like to thank the supporters for their fantastic support. Finally, I wish the Club the very best for the future."
With a game against West Brom in front of the TV cameras on Monday night, the Potters will be looking to try and make a swift appointment, although it's likely that Rory Delap, Kevin Russell and Andy Quy will take charge of that contest.
Using odds from Sky Bet, we take a look at some of the managerial contenders.
Alex Neil
Sky Bet odds: 4/7
Alex Neil was heavily linked with the West Brom job, but signed a three-year deal to a put an end to the speculation before they appointed Slaven Bilic.
He's worked wonders with Preston in slowly moving them up the Sky Bet Championship. They're currently second in the standings, with goal difference keeping them above Leeds and Swansea.
Deepdale has become a fortress with teams struggling to pick up points when they visit Preston. That is a significant factor in their current position in the table.
Stoke would have to sell Neil a real vision for the future, with obvious financial incentives attached. The Championship is very open this season and Preston have every chance of finishing in the promotion spots in May.
Michael O'Neill
Sky Bet odds: 3/1
It's not the first time that Michael O'Neill has been linked with a return to club football - such is the impact he has made in transforming Northern Ireland's fortunes.
He's been in charge of the nation since 2011 - earning credible results in their World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign before reaching the finals of the Euros two years later.
During his time at Windsor Park, he's posted 26 victories in 70 games - a respectable 37% win ratio.
However, O'Neill's loyalty to his current project with Northern Ireland may be a major stumbling block if Stoke were to look to him as their next manager.
"There wasn't just one factor, of course it was a difficult decision," O'Neill said when rejecting the Scotland job in 2018.
"I live there in Scotland, know Scottish football very well, follow it very closely. It was tempting but ultimately I've been in this job six years and I've seen a lot of progression with the national team.
Tony Pulis
Sky Bet odds: 9/1
Stoke's long wait for a return to the top-flight was ended in 2008 when they achieved automatic promotion to the Premier League.
In charge of that side was Tony Pulis, a figure who Stoke fans will have some fond memories for given the success he brought in the second division and then the subsequent run in the Europa League.
He will still be regarded as a popular figure with the Stoke board. In May 2011, Potters chairman Peter Coates stated that Pulis was "Stoke's best ever manager".
That's in the past though and Pulis is a free agent following his departure from Middlesbrough in the summer. That came on the back of a campaign filled with football that lacked ambition and ultimately led to Boro missing out on the play-offs.
Neil Harris
Sky Bet odds: 14/1
Neil Harris' long association with Millwall came to an end when he departed the Den last month.
Harris had been in charge of the club since 2015, that coming after having multiple stints as caretaker manager.
He guided Millwall back to the Sky Bet Championship following victory over Bradford in the 2017 Sky Bet League One play-off final, finishing eighth in the standings on their return to the second tier.
Harris finished on 245 games as Millwall manager - with an impressive win ratio of 41.6%.
David Moyes
Sky Bet odds: 20/1
Moyes has been backed for a return to management and finds himself as one of the shorter-priced options in the market.
He was also fancied in the betting when the position became vacant in January - although the Potters went for Jones.
The Scot established himself as one of the Premier League's top managers during his 11-year spell at Everton and his stock remains high despite unsuccessful spells at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland.
He has been out of work since steering West Ham to Premier League safety in the 2017/18 season.
Moyes also finds himself in the market for Everton - with a return fancied if the Toffees decide to part company with Marco Silva.
Chris Hughton
Sky Bet odds: 20/1
Chris Hughton continues to be linked with managerial vacancies when they become available and was reportedly offered the position at Sheffield Wednesday - although he turned it down and the Owls went with Garry Monk.
Hughton left Brighton in the summer after guiding the Seagulls to Premier League promotion and subsequent safety.
It had been reported that Hughton was holding out for a position in England's top-flight but Stoke's recent Premier League status could provide appeal to the former Brighton man.
He is an ambitious manager, who also finds his stock high, so Stoke will have to really sell him a vision in order to get him through the doors.
Nigel Adkins
Sky Bet odds: 25/1
Yes, it's time for a Nigel Adkins suggestion to yet another job - but once again it's justified in this situation.
Adkins' departure from Hull was a surprise in the off-season, a clash of ambitions is said to be the cause.
This appointment would bring about results in the short-term while also having someone patient enough to build for the future.
The Tigers enjoyed a positive season in his first full campaign in charge. Having avoided relegation in 2017/18, Adkins guided them to 13th place, with 17 wins from 46 games.
I've been surprised that Adkins still finds himself out of work. He has a wealth of experience, alongside boasting success at this level in the past, and Stoke seems like the right fit for him.
The atmosphere around the club is in dire need of drastic improvement and he is the type of character who can bring that with him. It's an outside chance in the market currently, but Stoke need a figure like Adkins at the helm.
Give him time in the role with the current squad and Stoke would find themselves battling at the other end of the table in the near future.
Odds correct at 1450 BST (01/11/19)
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