Next Plymouth Argyle manager: Three former Birmingham City bosses among favourites

The merry go-round of managers in the Championship looks set to continue as Birmingham City's rivals Stoke City close in on their next appointment. Various reports including from the Telegraph and talkSPORT say that the Potters are close to appointing Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher as their next manager.

Stoke have been without a manager for nine days after sacking Alex Neil, and after Sunderland's appointment of Michael Beale on Monday (December 18) are one of two clubs on the search for a manager. The Telegraph's report says that compensation has been broadly agreed and there is now just the fine details to be sorted on contracts, and that appointment would leave Plymouth without a manager.

Since his surprise sacking as Birmingham City manager, John Eustace's name has been in the mix for practically every vacancy in the Championship, but it's unsure yet what the 44-year-old's next plans are. Despite being linked with the Swansea City job on numerous occasions, he wasn't thought to be interested in the job, and so Blues fans will await to see what's next for the popular coach.

Gary Rowett is another name that keeps popping up for jobs in the Championship following his departure from Millwall in October. He's been doing punditry for Sky Sports, and before his departure from the Den, he was one of the longest serving managers in the Championship, but now that has all changed, and should Schmacher depart then only three managers will have been in their job longer than two-years.

Schumacher's proposed departure from Home Park hasn't even been confirmed yet, but already there's talk as to who could replace him. Here's the betting list released so far by BetVictor and the markets predictions of who stands the best chance of the gig.