Luton boss Jones linked with Stoke after Rowett sacking
Stoke City have begun their search for a fourth manager in 12 months after sacking Gary Rowett.
Rowett, 44, has departed after just eight months in charge following the club’s poor first half of the season, which has left them in 14th place in the Sky Bet Championship.
Luton Town’s Nathan Jones - who is due to bring his League One side to Sunderland on Saturday - has been linked with the post.
Former Sunderland boss David Moyes was installed as the early favourite for the vacancy, with other Black Cats bosses Sam Allardyce and Martin O’Neill also mentioned.
Rowett was tasked with leading the Potters straight back to the Premier League following relegation, but they have won only eight of their 26 league games and are eight points adrift of the play-offs.
Stoke, who began the season as promotion favourites after investing heavily in players during the summer, are in the hunt for their fifth manager in as many years.
Former boss Tony Pulis had been in charge for seven seasons when he was replaced in May 2013 by Mark Hughes, who spent four and a half years in the role. Rowett’s predecessor Paul Lambert lasted four months.
Potters fans had become disillusioned with both results and Rowett’s style of play this season and speculation over his future had been mounting.
A ‘Rowett out’ banner was unfurled during the home defeat to Bristol City and fans chanted for him to go during Saturday’s FA Cup draw at Shrewsbury.