Former Walsall man Dean Holden is currently the bookies favourite to take charge of the club, as the board look to replace Matthew Taylor, who was dismissed following a string of dismal displays.
The Swinton-born former right-back, who has long been linked with a return to the Black Country, is currently serving as assistant manager to Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill.
However, speaking ahead of his side's Championship clash with Nottingham Forest, City boss O'Neill insisted he doesn't see the move happening as Holden is still in the early stages of his tenure at the Bet365 Stadium.
43-year-old Holden, who enjoyed a 427 game playing career, joined Stoke in April last year after leaving Bristol City, a club where he enjoyed various positions after hanging up his boots in 2014.
Speaking to the Stoke Sentinel ahead of the meeting with Play-Off chasing Forest, O'Neill said; "Dean’s not that long at the club, less than a year, but his reputation in the game is extremely high, which is why I went and got him.
The Swinton-born former right-back, who has long been linked with a return to the Black Country, is currently serving as assistant manager to Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill.
However, speaking ahead of his side's Championship clash with Nottingham Forest, City boss O'Neill insisted he doesn't see the move happening as Holden is still in the early stages of his tenure at the Bet365 Stadium.
43-year-old Holden, who enjoyed a 427 game playing career, joined Stoke in April last year after leaving Bristol City, a club where he enjoyed various positions after hanging up his boots in 2014.
Speaking to the Stoke Sentinel ahead of the meeting with Play-Off chasing Forest, O'Neill said; "Dean’s not that long at the club, less than a year, but his reputation in the game is extremely high, which is why I went and got him.
"He’s had previous management experience. He had the opportunity at Bristol City, which was probably a difficult opportunity to go in as a first manager.
"But equally, I don’t envisage losing him in this situation. He obviously has a connection to the club because he started his coaching career and was a player there, so that’s natural.
"But I think he’s enjoying the challenge here. He’s been an excellent addition to our coaching staff, and certainly don’t want anything to change there."