Stoke's next two opponents will roll up at the Britannia Stadium minus their respective managers.
Aston Villa arrive on Monday night for the resumption of the Premier League campaign following the international break but will be without new manager Gerard Houllier who will be in France tieing up loose ends after severing ties with the French Football Federation this week in order to take the reigns at Villa Park. Kevin McDonald, who has been in charge since Martin O'Neill's resignatiom five days before the start of the season, will take control.
After that game City host West Ham in next Saturdays lunchtime kick off and the Hammers are also set to be without their manager.
Hammers boss Avram Grant has already stated he will be observing a religious festival, which doesn't allow him to work during that day. West Ham have yet to confirm who will be in charge of the side when they travel to the Potteries.