Monday morning quarterback: Stoke raise the alarm but they have got no firefighters on duty

Stoke left with a difficult decision

When the main reason for not sacking a manager is because you can’t think of an adequate replacement, it doesn’t look good on either party. Two defeats before his eventual departure, Mark Hughes asked “Who else is going to do it?” in a post-match press conference, and he had a point. All of the usual suspects were either employed (Sam Allardyce, Alan Pardew, Roy Hodgson) or had previously managed the club (Tony Pulis).

It’s very easy to opine that Stoke should show a little more imagination and think outside of the tried and trusted British manager box, but they are in the relegation zone with four months of the season remaining. Swansea appointed Bob Bradley and that was a disaster. Crystal Palace appointed Frank de Boer and the same applied. Recruiting someone from leftfield without experience of managing in the Premier League is a gamble. Is this really the time for gambles?