Mark Hughes has emerged as a leading contender to replace Tony Pulis as Stoke City manager.
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The former Queens Park Rangers boss, 49, would be open to the prospect, with leading figures at the club of the view that Hughes would be a "good fit".
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Pulis left Stoke on Tuesday after seven years in charge. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is another under consideration but Hughes is the frontrunner. Talks have not taken place but progress is expected next week.
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Stoke will not rush the appointment and although some at the club have privately spoken of a need to "change direction", Hughes has emerged as the choice of key decision-makers.
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The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker started his managerial career with Wales in 1999, before leaving the post to take charge at Blackburn in 2004.
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He left Ewood Park four years later for Manchester City, where he spent 18 months before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.
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A one-season spell at Fulham followed, before he was named QPR manager in January 2012. He saved the Loftus Road club from relegation that season, but was sacked just three months into the following campaign.