Other bosses in 'purgatory'
After Mick McCarthy's sacking, a variety of other managers were linked with the post, men who, like the departed boss, have spent the majority of their dugout career in football's version of 'purgatory' -- either fighting relegation or seeking promotion.
The Geordie is a journeyman manager at this stage, but has never managed a club to a top-half finish in the Premier League. He took Birmingham up and then back down again, and while he performed well at Wigan, he was unable to lift Sunderland towards the right end of the table.
Brought Sheffield United to the top flight and then tasted a bitter relegation, with West Ham controversially benefiting from Carlos Tevez to send the Blades down. Worked the oracle at QPR, but was tactically exposed in the big league.
Ended Wolves' 19-year wait for Premier League football, yet their stay lasted for only one campaign. Then moved to Cardiff for a six-year spell in which they reached a cup final and knocked on the promotion door many times without going through it. Was sacked last summer.
Leaving aside his stint with Celtic, the Scot's managerial spells in England have generally been focused around the cut-off between the top two divisions. Out of the game since he failed to bring Middlesbrough back up.
Irish Independent
