It's been open season for fans and media alike following the departure of Peter Grant from the Norwich City hot-seat. Many names have been put forward, with pros and cons for each and every one of them.

It's been open season for fans and media alike following the departure of Peter Grant from the Norwich City hot-seat.

Many names have been put forward, with pros and cons for each and every one of them. Some names are mentioned every time a vacancy arises, wherever it is. Others have obvious links with Carrow Road. Others are just too obvious to dismiss.

However, Grant was hardly worthy of a mention a year ago when City were replacing Nigel Worthington, which just proves how difficult the prediction game is. But they can't afford to get it wrong again.

EDP Norwich City writer CHRIS LAKEY takes a look at some of the men whose names have likely been discussed around the boardroom table.

t Paul Jewell: Said to be waiting in the wings at Bolton, who sacked Sammy Lee this week. Hails from the north-west, so wouldn't have to move. And why would Jewell want to drop down to the lower reaches of the Championship when he could reasonably expect Premiership sides to be interested in him? Took Bradford into the top flight and kept them there, had a poor time at cash-strapped Sheffield Wednesday but took Wigan up two divisions to the Premier League before quitting. Would likely prefer a club with more cash to spend than Norwich - and could well get one very soon.

t Ian Crook: Ex-Canary who has never hidden his desire to take the helm. While much admired as a player, he hasn't exactly got the managerial CV to match. Coached in Australia, as well as leading the American Samoa national team for a while and is now assistant manager with Pierre Littbarski at Japanese Second Division side Avispa Fukuoka. Might be a popular choice in some circles, but if Peter Grant wasn't deemed to be experienced enough, then Crook is even less likely to be able to do the job, notwithstanding his love of the club. An assistant, but no more.

t Pierre Littbarski: Would surely only be considered if he came as a package with Crook - and then, despite his vast playing experience, he would have a lot of convincing to do on the managerial front. Too much of a risk, surely.

t Steve Bruce: Wanted by Bolton - although their request to speak to him was rejected yesterday by Birmingham. However, when Carson Yeung takes over at St Andrews will he want Bruce? Read nothing into Bruce's appearance at QPR v Norwich last week. It would be a major shock if he was looking anywhere but up - and having just about established Birmingham in the top flight, he isn't likely to want to lower his sights as far as the Championship relegation zone. Still tipped by some as a future manager of Manchester United.

t Dion Dublin: Looks more and more likely to be heading for a media career, having stated more than once in the past that management isn't for him. Little doubt he would be a popular choice, but lack of experience and lack of desire for the job means he's a rank outsider.

t Martin Allen: Out of a job since falling out with Milan Mandaric at Leicester after just four games. Was appointed on the strength of spells with Barnet, Brentford and MK Dons - and while he did well with all three, he has never won promotion as a manager. Many like the idea of him bringing his “Mad Dog” attitude and style to Carrow Road, believing it's just what the club needs. Allen is available and apparently fancies the job. In truth, he just wants to get back into football - Norwich doesn't appear to hold any particular tie for him except that he might prefer it to Millwall or Gillingham. Or maybe not.

t Joe Royle: Bags of history, as player and manager. Links with Ipswich might count against him, even though he played a couple of years for Norwich. However, while rumours are very strong that City are keen on Royle, the feeling is not mutual. Royle is 58 years old, spends a lot of time abroad and might just have finished with management. Willie Donachie, his former sidekick, is available after being sac ked by Millwall, but don't expect Big Joe to be in the running.

t Mark Bowen: Another with strong City links who was rumoured to have been offered the job a year ago, only to turn it down. Having done so well as Mark Hughes' assistant at Europe-bound Blackburn that was hardly surprising. Would City risk doing what they did a year ago and going for a successful coach with no proven managerial, experience? Doubt it.

t Jim Duffy: Has got a little bit of an advantage with two games in charge as caretaker which, if results go the right way, could help his application. But he won't forget that a) the players might also let him down and b) he is a Grant appointment. The Scot is in a tricky position, because winning both games guarantees nothing. Should a new man come in, his position is also under threat. Has managerial experience north of the border and coaching experience south of it. Don't forget the financial aspect - compensation and the like doesn't come into it - so don't write him off.

t Mike Newell: Lost his job at Hartlepool after personal differences with the board joined Luton in the summer of 2003. Against all odds he got them to the play-offs and the following season went one step further by winning the League One title. But Luton continued to sell players and when Newell asked where the money had gone, he was sacked. Has had his moments of controversy, but is available and has a bit of experience to call upon.

t Glenn Hoddle: Unlikely. Not the most popular manager on the market, for some reason - and certainly wouldn't be the cheapest.

t Peter Reid: More media than management, having been out of a job since January, 2005. Eight good years at Sunderland was followed by a disastrous eight months at spiralling Leeds, hardly his fault entirely. Short spell at Coventry followed - and Reid hasn't worked in management since. Perhaps more interested in TV and being an agent, although there are one or two people who quite fancy him for Carrow Road.

t Peter Taylor: Won promotion with Gillingham, moved on to Leicester where, after a good start, fortunes changed dramatically and he was sacked in the autumn of 2001. Got Hull into the Championship, earning himself a move to Crystal Palace, where he was a player - but sacked earlier this month after 16 months. It isn't exactly a good advertisement and while he's respected within the game, a move to Norfolk is unlikely.

t Malky Mackay: Sentimental shout this one, mainly because City have missed the type of drive, enthusiasm and will to win that Mackay had in buckets. Still learning the coaching trade under Adie Boothroyd at Watford. One day maybe - but not yet.

t Dave Penney: Took Doncaster up two divisions from the Conference then moved to Darlington. A quality young talent, perhaps should be considered a dark horse for the City job - probably needs more experience.

t Nigel Pearson: Seems to be happy with his role as assistant - and then caretaker when it goes wrong for his boss. Is sidekick to Sam Allardyce at Newcastle, which is arguably better than being the number one at Norwich. A former Sheffield Wednesday player called Nigel at Carrow Road? Perish the thought.

t Geraint Williams: Playing connections with Ipswich wouldn't help, but he's done well at Colchester since taking over from Phil Parkinson in the summer of 2006. No real reason he'd want to move - plus, only a season and a bit in the Championship isn't exactly a vast wealth of experience.

t Stuart Pearce: England Under-21 manager who had a brief spell in charge of Nottingham Forest and a season at Manchester City, but perhaps it was too much too soon. Is doing well with the Under-21s and might not want to give that up - unless Norwich were able to allow him a dual role. Isn't short of desire - but perhaps fancies something a little higher up the ladder, if indeed he wants to return to club management.

t Steve Tilson: Touted a year ago after taking Southend up, although relegation last season has dropped him down the list. Needs more experience.

t Paul Ince: Has stated his desire to stay at MK Dons, where Pete Winkleman's investment is a big lure. Not been in the job long but looks destined to follow former Manchester United team-mates like Bruce, Hughes and Keane in finding success. However, leaving MK Dons when they're doing well might not help a profile that was tarnished on occasions during his playing career.

Phil Parkinson: Do the calculations: Parkinson is assistant to Alan Pardew at Charlton. He comes here, Grant goes to Charlton to work with his old boss. QED. Actually, it's not as simple as that, but it's a possibility.

Chris Coleman: Might also be a tip for the Bolton job but, if not, would fancy a return to England from Spain, where he is attempting to get Sociedad back into the top flight. Has experience in the top flight with Fulham, but not the Championship.

Mickey Adams: A good call - Adams is assistant at Colchester but admits he fancies a return to the top job. Geographically probably wouldn't be a problem either. Best of all, he has the experience. Was unlucky to be replaced at Fulham by Kevin Keegan, found success at Brighton, experienced promotion and relegation at Leicester but couldn't revive Coventry's fortunes. A mixed bag, but a likeable man who might be worth a quid if you like a flutter.

Paul Sturrock: Did well in Scotland, transformed Plymouth, struggled with the Southampton job, was sacked, many say prematurely, by Sheffield Wednesday when he looked to have turned things around. Currently at Swindon, who he took to promotion last season. Top half of League One, but remember, Swindon are in the throes of a takeover, and that could become messy. A good outside bet - has the credentials.

Aage Hareide: Rumoured to have been well in the frame a year ago. One of the few successful foreign imports at Norwich, where he enjoyed a two-year spell in the early 80s. Is Norway's national coach - but no experience in England. Unlikely.