EVANS OPEN ON ROVERS’ SLIDE
Jones gets the boot over Stoke flop with Neil and O’Neill the favourites to take over
Championship: Monday, 8pm
ALEX NEIL and Michael O’Neill are the early favourites to be the next Stoke boss after Nathan Jones was sacked yesterday.
Jones, who was only appointed in January, won just six matches.
His assistant Paul Hart and firstteam coach Joaquin Gomez have also left with the club in the Championship relegation zone.
Preston boss Neil, 38, and Northern Ireland coach O’Neill, 50, are the frontrunners with Neil Harris, Chris Hughton, David Moyes and Tony Pulis, who had two spells in charge of Stoke, the other leading contenders.
Welshman Jones was given a reprieve after a 1-0 defeat by Huddersfield on October 1, with the board determined to give the former Luton manager every chance to turn things around.
The plan seemed to work as the Potters recorded back-to-back wins over Swansea and Fulham – their only victories this season.
But they have since lost to Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall without scoring and the shocking performance at The Den against predecessor Gary Rowett, coinciding with vice-chairman
John Coates’ return from holiday, signalled the end.
Jones said: “I would like to thank
John and Peter Coates, firstly for the opportunity to manage this club then for the continued support and patience throughout my time here.”
Stoke host leaders West
Brom on Monday and a club statement said: “A new managerial appointment will be made as swiftly as possible.”
Rory Delap, Kevin Russell and Andy Quy will take charge in the meantime. Stoke are seeking their fourth boss in 22 months after Mark Hughes, Paul Lambert and Rowett. O’Neill (above, bottom) is with Northern Ireland preparing for their final round of Euro 2020 qualifiers later this month. They are third in Group C, three points behind second-placed Germany with two matches left to play. He turned down the chance to manage Scotland earlier this year. Former Norwich boss Neil (left) has led Preston to second in the Championship, with one of the lowest budgets in the division. Jones left Luton to replace Rowett in January when Stoke were 14th in the table and steered them to 16th.
His six victories came from 38 games in charge. He lost five of his first six games, including an embarrassing FA Cup exit to League One Shrewsbury. Wins proved elusive as Stoke drew 11 of their remaining 15 matches, losing two.
This season they have won just twice in the League and took 10 games to get their first victory, claiming just three points from 30 until they beat Swansea away. The Potters were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Crawley on penalties.
Championship: Ewood Park, 3pm
CORRY EVANS believes renewed belief will get Blackburn back on track.
Tony Mowbray’s stuttering side have slipped down the table after a six-game winless run. But Northern Ireland midfielder Evans is confident things will turn around if they stay united.
“We’ve all got to stick together,” stressed Evans ahead of today’s home clash with on-song Sheffield Wednesday.
“The only way of getting through this is by doing that. We and the fans all feed off each other so we have to give them something to cheer about.”
Rovers led Preston 2-0 last Saturday, but lost 3-2 and Evans knows there is no better tonic than winning at home.
“If we can crack the home form it gives us a good chance of getting back up the league,” he added.
vChampionship: The Valley, tom, 12 noon