PREMIER LEAGUE legends Frank Lampard, John Terry and Paul Ince are all in contention for the vacant role at Championship side Stoke City.
That’s according to bookmakers Coral, who have named the top 10 most likely candidates to replace Steven Schumacher, who was sacked earlier today.
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Next Stoke City manager odds
Coral odds
Dave Challinor 2/1
Tony Mowbray 3/1
Ruben Selles 4/1
Ryan Lowe 5/1
Valerian Ismael 6/1
Michael Beale 7/1
Paul Ince 8/1
Frank Lampard 12/1
John Terry 14/1
Mick McCarthy 16/1
Schumacher left Plymouth last December to take the Potters’ role but his nine-month tenure came to an end following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Oxford United.
That was already Stoke’s third league defeat in just five games, leaving them down in 13th place after the weekend’s action.
Former skipper Ryan Shawcross has been placed in a caretaker role alongside Alex Morris.
Sporting director Jon Walters said the decision to axe Schumacher was in the ‘long term interests’ of the club.
His attention now turns to finding a suitable successor and some huge names are believed to be in contention.
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Stoke City next manager odds
It’s Stockport County’s boss Dave Challinor who leads the betting with Coral.
He’s the current 2/1 market leader having led Stockport to two promotions in three years, coming from the National League to League One where they currently sit fourth.
Tony Mowbray revealed over the weekend he’s eyeing a return to management following a health battle, after he was forced to step down from Birmingham as a result.
He admitted he was still a little ‘weak’ as his recuperation continues so this might come a little too early for him.
Ruben Selles (4/1) and Ryan Lowe (5/1) appear more likely to be in contention, just ahead of Valerian Ismael at 6/1.
Ex-Rangers and Sunderland manager Michael Beale remains on the lookout for his way back in and he’s a 7/1 shot with the bookies.
Then there’s some HUGE names, with Paul Ince an 8/1 shot having been out of a job in management since his sacking from Reading just shy of 18 months ago.
Then it’s Frank Lampard (12/1) who was last in charge at Chelsea on an interim basis at the end of 2022/23 – ending with a 9% win record.
Former Blues hero John Terry returned to the club last year as part of the Academy set-up and he’s 14/1 to go it alone and have Stoke as his first job in charge.
Mick McCarthy rounds off the betting at 16/1.
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