Stoke City are moving towards making an official approach for Gary Rowett, who has emerged as the leading candidate to take over as their new manager. Rowett is currently in charge of Derby County and only signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with the club in January amid interest from Stoke, yet his future at Pride Park is now hanging in the balance again.
Rowett is highly regarded at Stoke and was a strong contender for the job four months ago, after Mark Hughes was sacked. Stoke, however, were left frustrated on that occasion and ended up turning to Paul Lambert, who was unable to steer the club away from relegation, winning only two of his 15 matches in charge and prompting the Stoke board to decide to part company with him on Friday.
Stoke are determined to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and Rowett, who knows the Championship well, could be trusted with that task of delivering promotion. The 44-year-old impressed during his time as Birmingham City manager and he led Derby County into the play-offs this season.
Stoke would have to pay sizeable compensation for Rowett, who started his managerial career with Burton Albion, and it remains to be seen how hard Derby would try to keep him.