"The only club..." - Pundit names Stoke City as Neil Warnock's potential next destination | OneFootball

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Stoke City is the most likely destination for Neil Warnock if he is to return to Championship management this season.

Warnock was only appointed as Aberdeen interim manager last month, but he surprisingly stepped down at the weekend after just eight games in charge.

The Dons had secured their place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday, but Warnock announced his decision to leave the club shortly after the game.

"I said I'd try to help them out and give them my advice. My advice is to get a new manager in as soon as possible now," Warnock told Sky Sports.

"They're well down the line and it needs an overhaul in the summer. There's no use waiting until then and they've listened to me."

Warnock did an outstanding job at Huddersfield Town last season, guiding the Terriers to safety following his arrival on a short-term contract in February, and his availability has led to speculation about whether he could return to the Championship this season, with a host of clubs currently involved in the relegation battle.

Carlton Palmer on Neil Warnock's potential next job

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Stoke are the only club towards the bottom of the table that could consider bringing Warnock in before the end of the season, but he hopes that the Potters stick with Steven Schumacher.

"Neil Warnock is now available again after leaving Aberdeen after his short tenure there," Palmer said.

"Neil's available now and clubs will look at him in a short-term capacity, there's not many games left until the end of the season, but clubs will look at him and see if he can help their situation given what he did with Huddersfield Town last season.

"The Championship clubs that are struggling at the bottom, Millwall have changed their manager, Sheffield Wednesday have brought Danny Rohl in, Huddersfield have changed their manager, QPR have changed their manager, Rotherham are down, so I don't really see any of those clubs doing anything managerial towards the end of the season.

"The only club that could look to make a change is Stoke, and I think that would be a bit unfair. "I think the manager they've brought in is a very, very good manager, and he should be given time to see if he can make that step up from League One after doing a fantastic job at Schumacher.

"Hopefully Stoke will give him the opportunity until the end of the season to try and keep them up."

Neil Warnock will be a tempting short-term option for Championship clubs

It is understandable why Palmer believes Stoke could make a move for Warnock after the recent speculation over Schumacher's future, with Gareth Ainsworth, Tony Pulis and Adrian Heath all said to have been under consideration as potential replacements.

However, two wins in three games, including an impressive 2-1 victory at Preston North End on Saturday, has significantly eased the pressure on Schumacher, and he looks likely to remain in the role.

John Eustace is yet to pick up a win as Blackburn Rovers manager since replacing Jon Dahl Tomasson last month, so his job could soon be under threat with the club sliding towards the relegation zone.

Ian Foster is coming under increasing scrutiny at Plymouth Argyle, and with Warnock having managed the Pilgrims previously, a return to Home Park could be possible.

Warnock's experience in relegation battles will surely make him an attractive option, and with the international break approaching, it remains to be seen whether any clubs will decide to make a change.