Derby are in the hunt for their sixth manager in three years following Gary Rowett's departure to Stoke.

Manuel Pellegrini has targeted “four or five” signings to launch a blueprint of attacking football at West Ham.

Man Utd 3 ... Stoke 0: Martin O’Neill may well be reflecting today that he has dodged a bullet by turning down Stoke City after the side he would have taken to Old Trafford last night were beaten 3-0 by a Paul Pogba-inspired Manchester United to leave them in serious relegation trouble.

Quique Sanchez Flores is Stoke’s first choice to succeed Mark Hughes.

Martin O’Neill has moved into pole position to become Stoke City manager but the club’s board are understood to be split on their choice of the Ireland boss.

Stoke hope to make a quick appointment after sacking manager Mark Hughes.

Darren Norris looks at how the Irish in England got on this weekend.

The status quo was maintained at the top of the Championship as Leeds, Cardiff and Wolves all won.

The quickest glance at Cyrus Christie’s social media feed tells you that the Ireland defender has athletic interests outside his own discipline.

The 70-year-old has been confirmed as Gianfranco Zola’s successor, and will be assisted by former Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill as he bids to preserve their Championship status.

Steve McClaren was tonight sacked by Derby for the second time in less than two years after a five-month second spell.

Alan Pardew is in the frame to become Norwich's new manager.

In-form Stephen Gleeson returned to haunt MK Dons on Saturday, scoring the opening goal as Birmingham maintained their unbeaten start to the season to climb to seventh in the Championship.

Colin Doyle may not be entirely cutting his ties with Birmingham City after a campaign was last night launched to grant the departing Cork-born goalkeeper a testimonial.

Blyth Spartans captain Robbie Dale will head straight back to his bar job after coming so close to serving up another FA Cup fairytale for the non-league side against Championship Birmingham at Croft Park.

TODAY

As in politics, a week can be long time in soccer. Just ask Darren Randolph.

Burton will name 50-year-old goalkeeping coach Kevin Poole in their squad for their Sky Bet League Two clash with Mansfield on tonight.

Burton manager Nigel Clough is not holding out much hope of humbling mighty Manchester United – but if Albion do produce an FA Cup shock, the Brewers boss wants it to be on the back of entertaining football.

Charlton chief Alan Curbishley is desperate to record the first victory of his managerial career against Manchester United tonight – to wipe the smile off the face of his friend, Alex Ferguson.

Paolo di Canio is back in contention for Charlton’s clash with Birmingham after shaking off an illness.

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley has been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Portsmouth at The Valley.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has fresh attacking options as he prepares for tomorrow’s visit of Blackburn.

Luke Young returns to the Charlton squad after 13 games out with an ankle injury.

KEVIN KEEGAN has admitted that another month of misery for Manchester City will leave him seriously worried.

Charlton will call on Scott Parker to help them bounce back quickly at Manchester City tomorrow from their demoralising FA Cup exit at Gillingham.

Charlton midfielder Scott Parker has been passed fit to face First Division Gillingham in the FA Cup third round at Priestfield tomorrow.

Injuries continue to trouble Charlton manager Alan Curbishley ahead of the trip across London to Tottenham but the morale-boosting victory over Chelsea will help paper over the cracks.

Charlton chief Alan Curbishley has promised Paul Konchesky he will not get the reception he feared when he turns up for Christmas Eve training with the Addicks.

Paolo di Canio returns to the Charlton squad to face Southampton after recovering from the groin injury which kept him out of last weekend’s defeat to Leeds.

RUSSIA coach Valery Gazzayev last night threatened to resign after his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Israel in a warm-up to the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against a Republic of Ireland side sweating on the availability of Robbie Keane.

Mark Fish and new England international Paul Konchesky are ruled out of the Charlton line up for the visit of Aston Villa tomorrow by suspensions.

Luke Young is back in training after his hamstring injury but will not be fit for Charlton Athletic’s home match against Everton tomorrow.

Luke Young, who missed Wednesday night’s 4-2 Premiership victory over West Ham with a hamstring injury, is fit to return for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round visit to Fulham.

An uncharacteristic error by Russell Hoult extended Charlton’s impressive Premiership run at The Valley.

Charlton 2 Manchester City 2

Leeds 1 Charlton 2

Leeds boss Terry Venables went into a make-or-break game stating in his programme notes he would not be throwing in the towel.

Charlton 3 Blackburn 1

Manchester City 0 Charlton 1

John Robinson could return in midfield for Charlton at Manchester City tomorrow to replace thigh injury victim Robbie Mustoe, who will be out for two weeks.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has a near full strength squad to choose from for the home Premiership game with Middlesbrough.