Stoke City are looking for a new manager after sacking Alex Neil at the weekend. The Potters’ fourth defeat in a row left them reeling at 20^th in the Championship, and now they are on the lookout for a new boss, with football betting sites pricing up the market for who will replace the Scot.

Neil had been in charge at the bet365 Stadium since August 2022 and will have had high hopes leading the team to the Premier League after doing so with Norwich City in the past and having a successful spell with Sunderland. However, things didn’t turn out that way, and now betting apps have had their say on who is mostly likely to take charge at Stoke.

The initial prices made John Eustace the odds-on favourite to take the role. Eustace had a successful stint as Birmingham manager before being replaced by the more high-profile candidate in Wayne Rooney in October. The fact that Rooney is finding things so difficult at Birmingham has only enhanced Eustace’s reputation. Other candidates initially mentioned by UK betting sites include Tony Mowbray, Graham Potter and Steven Schumacher.

It now looks as if former Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo may not be a target alongside Eustace. He led Wolves into the Premier League and kept them in the division before moving on, so he has the requisite experience Stoke could want. Plymouth Argyle manage Steven Schumacher has been made the odds-on favourite for the role.

Could Eustace Take Stoke Role?

Eustace is a former player at Stoke City so knows the club inside and out, and with his stock high, his appointment could be seen as something of a coup. Birmingham was his first foray into league management in July 2022, and despite being the favourites with most new betting sites to finish bottom of the table, he led them to the club’s highest points tally since 2016.

However, with the club being taken over by a new consortium, he was relieved of his duties in October despite the club being sat in sixth spot in the league after 11 games played. He would likely be well backed by the fans to get the team playing to their full potential after being out of the Premier League since 2018.

Tony Mowbray Ready For Quick Management Return

Tony Mowbray was sacked as the manager of fellow Championship side Sunderland on December 5 with the team sitting fairly comfortably in mid-table. It was something of a surprise given he led the team to the playoffs in their first season back in the Championship after promotion from League One. 

He also had a successful spell with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship prior to that, so he has plenty of experience managing in the second tier. He has seen as the second favourite to take the role with betting sites at present.

Graham Potter to Make Surprise Championship Return?

Eighteen months ago, it would have been unthinkable that Graham Potter would be considered for taking a role in the Championship. He had paid his dues with a successful spell as manager of Swansea City before taking over Brighton. He inspired an attacking brand of football at the Amex Stadium and left the club for Chelsea. However, it was a disastrous stint in charge that only lasted 31 games, and he has been without a job since April 2023.

There have been a number of managerial roles that he has been linked with in the Premier League, but none that he has been close to taking. Perhaps a stint in the Championship will be the perfect place to rehabilitate his reputation. He also played at Stoke 45 times during his playing career so has some affinity for the club. Current prices with the best betting apps give him a decent chance of being appointed.