O'Neill could replace Pulis at Stoke

Stoke City could swoop for Martin O'Neill if current boss Tony Pulis walks away at the end of the season.

Pulis, 55, insisted last week that rumours of his departure are premature but there is a feeling around the Britannia that the Welshman will call it time on his seven year stint at the club. 

Should Pulis leave, O'Neill, who was sacked by Sunderland just four weeks ago, is said to be at the top of Stoke's shortlist of potential replacements. 

It will be interesting to see whether the former Celtic, Villa and Leicester manager will return to the Premier League so quickly after the bitter parting of ways with Sunderland. 

Before O'Neill's short reign at Sunderland, he had never previously been dismissed during his 20 impressive years as a manager in both England and Scotland.

But he has made it clear he has no intention to quit the game. 

Back to back wins against QPR and Norwich City have moved Stoke City up into 12th spot, some eight points off the drop zone, and as such Pulis’s side should be safe from relegation to the Championship though this apparently might not be enough to prevent the diminutive Welshman from leaving the Staffordshire club.

Pulis has done a fantastic job at Stoke over the past seven years but the growing frustration among the Stoke faithful in recent weeks suggests that many believe it is time for a change in management to help the club progress in the top flight. 

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