Alex Neil is set to be appointed as Stoke City’s new manager, talkSPORT understands.
The Scot is to quit as boss of Preston North End, who are sitting second in the Championship table, to take over their struggling league rivals.
Stoke are yet to agree a compensation package for the 38-year-old but Preston have accepted he wants to go and expect to thrash out a deal this weekend.
The Potters moved quickly for Neil after deciding to axe Nathan Jones just ten months into his reign.
Jones won only six of his 38 games in charge, having left Luton Town in January to succeed Gary Rowett.
It is a surprising move for Neil, who signed a new three-year deal earlier this year and has Preston riding high in the Championship table.
He will take over a Stoke side which are bottom, four points adrift of safety, having collected just eight points from their 14 games this season.
Preston play Charlton on Sunday while Stoke face West Brom on Monday, by which time they hope to have Neil in charge.
