Former Birmingham manager John Eustace and ex-Sunderland and West Brom boss Tony Mowbray are among the leading candidates to take over at Stoke City, Sky Sports News understands.

Former Fulham, Watford and Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jakanovic is also thought to be on Stoke’s shortlist with the club yet to narrow down their preferred candidate as they carry out an exhaustive process of due diligence.

Stoke are looking for their sixth manager in as many years after sacking Alex Neil on Sunday following a 1-0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Owner John Coates is desperate for some stability, and so will take his time to ensure a rigorous recruitment process is followed.

Both Eustace and Mowbray were surprise sackings with Birmingham sixth and Sunderland only three points outside the play-offs when the respective managers left the clubs. Both men remained extremely popular with large sections of the fans when they left their jobs.

Stoke’s draw with Swansea last night has steadied the ship and has given bosses more time to focus on the managerial search.

Paul Gallagher led the team on Tuesday and could still be in caretaker charge for Stoke’s next game when they travel to West Brom, live on Sky Sports on Sunday lunchtime (kick-off 12pm).

Stoke’s next five fixtures…

Sunday December 17: West Brom (A) – Championship, kick-off 12pm (live on Sky Sports)

Saturday December 23: Millwall (H) – Championship, kick-off 3pm

Tuesday December 26: Birmingham (A) – Championship, kick-off 5.15pm (Live on Sky Sports)

Friday December 29: Watford (A) – Championship, kick-off 7.45pm

Monday January 1: Ipswich (H) – Championship, kick-off 3pm

Here are the fixtures currently confirmed to be shown live on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Football Red Button and the Sky Sports app…

Wednesday December 13

• Cardiff vs Birmingham, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports App
• Coventry vs Southampton, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports App
• Leicester vs Millwall, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports App
• Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports App
• QPR vs Plymouth, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football Red Button & Sky Sports App
• Middlesbrough vs Hull, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports App

Saturday December 16

• Ipswich vs Norwich, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports App

Sunday December 17

• West Brom vs Stoke, 12pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports App

Monday December 18

• Birmingham vs Leicester, 8pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports App

Saturday December 23

• Leeds vs Ipswich, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports App