On the coaching staff at Leicester City, where he is highly regarded and loved from his time there as a player. Had a taste of front line management when he was put in joint caretaker charge after Gary Megson left in 2007.
Was an unofficial assistant manager to Johan Boskamp for the second half of his season in charge at Stoke and has earnt a lot of respect around these circles, especially with Tony Pulis.
Would probably find it too hard to leave the Walkers Stadium though.
Paul Jewell -
The only man publicly linked with the position. Has great top flight managing experience after successfully taking Wigan and Bradford through the divisions before keeping them in the top flight and taking the Latics to their first ever cup final. Had a bad experience at Derby but the rot had well and truly set in before he arrived and he had no chance of keeping them up.
Out of work and a friend of Pulis so is as good a shout as any.
Steve Bould -
Currently head coach of Arsenal's successful U18 side, Stoke born Bould may want a step up with his coaching to be an assistant.
Could eventually take the reigns as manager one day. If he is happy enough continuing in his current role then Stoke will struggle to prise him away as at Arsenal he continues to work with such fantastic young talent.
Lyndsay Parsons -
Was TP's right hand man during the gaffers first spell in charge before following him to Plymouth.
Didn't join back in the same role, is chief scout now, so may have decided to take more of a backroom role and happy without all the extra pressure of being in the pressure cooker situation of top flight management.
Adrian Heath -
Currently managing Stoke's link up side Austin Aztex in the US. May want a more senior role back with his hometown club after overseeing the opening stages of the Aztex story. Then again may want to progress with what he has started over their with City director Phil Rawlins.