5. Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill was linked with the Stoke job
back in April even though there was no vacancy at the club, with Peter Coates apparently lining the Northern Irishman up as a potential replacement in the eventuality of Pulis' departure at the end of the season. The former Sunderland manager was brutally axed by the Black Cats at the end of March and was replaced by Paolo Di Canio, and has been looking for work ever since. The former Aston Villa, Celtic and Leicester City man has previously commented that he believes he is far from finished as a top-flight coach and wants to be back in work as soon as possible, and with a vacancy now opening up at the Britannia Stadium, he could be back in the Premier League sooner than we thought.