JOB’S MOYES FOR THE

Preston connection gives Scot edge in race for Stoke hot seat

DAVID MOYES is emerging as the main contender to succeed Gary Rowett at Stoke, with the Potters keen to make a swift appointment.

Stoke want an experienced manager to take over from Rowett – sacked yesterday after eight months in charge – and Moyes, 55, (left) has the added appeal of being available. He has supporters in the boardroom and knows chief executive Tony Scholes from their time together at Preston in what was the Scot’s first managerial job.

The former Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland boss has been out of work since leaving West Ham last season.

Sam Allardyce, who won promotion to the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers in 2001 and West Ham in 2012, is also liked and Stoke have contacted him to see if he would be interested.

Rowett was axed yesterday morning before training and the Potters say they want to appoint his successor “as swiftly as possible”, ideally before Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

It is understood Rowett was not surprised to be given the news at the club’s Clayton Wood training ground by vicechairman John Coates and Scholes. The former Derby and Birmingham boss had won just eight of his 26 Championship matches and leaves with Stoke languishing in 14th place.

Questions are also being asked about technical director Mark Cartwright and he has come under fire from fans because of a number of poor signings.

Stoke have now sacked three managers in 12 months, following the dismissals of Mark Hughes and Paul Lambert.