STOKE will do final interviews with candidates for their managerial vacancy this week — and Paul Heckingbottom is emerging as a strong contender.
Hecky, 46, is after a quick return to the dugout after being axed by Sheffield United this month and getting the Blades promoted last season looks good on his CV.
The experienced boss is one of a few candidates due to meet Potters co-chairman John Coates this week.
John Eustace was favourite when Alex Neil was sacked last week and is still in the frame.
Tony Mowbray is also a possibility after his exit from Sunderland.
Stoke may even try for Steven Schumacher, who took Plymouth up from League One last term.
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The former Premier League club currently sit 20th in the Championship.
The club is on the cusp of dropping into the relegation zone, having lost four of their last five games.
The last time Stoke finished a game with three points was back in October after beating Middlesbrough.
The club had been initially linked with a move for former Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter.
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However, it is believed that the Englishman quickly rejected the club with the thought that he was only looking for a big move.
Potter has since been tipped to be one of the favourites for the job at Manchester United.
The manager has met with incoming investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe about potentially replacing Erik ten Hag.
England U21s boss Lee Carsley was also thought to be in the frame for the job.
Stoke does have a tricky set of fixtures coming up with a trip to West Brom on Sunday.
In their following five games, they face rivals Birmingham and Millwall before taking on top half Watford and high-flying Ipswich.
The fifth game is an FA Cup tie against Brighton at the Bet365 Stadium.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
