Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez is among the early favourites to take over at Stoke City following the departure of Tony Pulis.
The Spaniard had a successful spell at Stamford Bridge, qualifying for the Champions League with a third place finish in the Premier League and claiming the Europa League title last week.
Benitez's family are based near the area but a stumbling block could be that the former Liverpool boss may want to hold out for a move to a club playing in European competition next season.
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes Benitez did all that could be expected of him during his difficult period in charge of the club.
Benitez received a frosty reception from the fans when he was appointed interim manager partway through the season when Roberto di Matteo left.
But Lampard feels he confounded his critics.
"He's a professional bloke. He prepared very well for games. And it was a difficult situation for him as well. As interim manager it was always going to be quite difficult because we all knew it was only to the end of the season," he told the Sun.
Despite that, though, Lampard did not grow close to Benitez on a personal level.
"There are certain managers you build relationships with and feel closer to," Lampard said. "He's not that kind of bloke.
"Other managers draw a bit of a line and keep it that way. Rafa's more like that. He was not really the sort of manager you could sit and talk with."
Pulis' seven-year reign at the Britannia Stadium came to an end last night, with the club confirming the termination of the manager's contract by mutual consent.
Among other contenders for the position are Di Matteo and Gus Poyet.
