4 overlooked managers who should be considered for Premier League gigs

When Premier League clubs are in a state of crisis, they tend to look for two types of appointments: an old-hand with a track record for pulling teams out of the relegation mire like Sam Allardyce, or a decorated coach from overseas.

Here we look beyond the obvious managerial talent elsewhere in the British Isles - such as Fulham's Slavisa Jokanovic or Derby County's Gary Rowett in the Championship - to pick out under-the-radar candidates for work in England's top tier.

Chris Wilder

Wilder isn't a fashionable tactician by any means, instead earning respect via his man-management skills. He won titles with non-league Alfreton Town, kept Halifax competitive despite crippling financial issues, and guided Oxford United back into the Football League. However, it was his exploits at Northampton Town - the Cobblers were plummeting towards the fifth tier when he took over, and were in League One when he left - that earned him a job at his beloved Sheffield United in the summer of 2016.

Things didn't start so well for the Blades in the 2016-17 League One campaign, with one point from a possible 12. The fourth match was a defeat courtesy of a late penalty from Millwall's Steve Morison, and Wilder could see his ranks needed a boost for the journey back.

"I got the driver to pull over at an off-licence and bought £100 worth of beer," he told The Yorkshire Post.

Sheffield United finished the season in first place.

Michael O'Neill

Northern Ireland is still overachieving with O'Neill at the helm.

He succeeded Nigel Worthington in 2011, and as recently as 2012 his homeland was ranked 129th by FIFA. After guiding a group of players who predominantly ply their trade in the second and third tiers of English football to Euro 2016's last 16, and close to a spot in next summer's World Cup, Northern Ireland is now ranked 20th.

He would be perfect for sorting out a side with defensive problems. Northern Ireland has conceded just twice in eight matches of World Cup qualification.

Paul Hurst

Hurst perhaps needs another stepping stone before potentially testing his talents in the Premier League. The 42-year-old is currently overseeing Shrewsbury Town and - after nine matches of what was widely predicted to be a season of struggle - is top of the pile in League One with a three-point cushion.

A sensational start to the term isn't just a flash in the pan. Hurst helped stave off the threat of relegation when he was appointed last October, and had previously directed steady improvement at Grimsby Town: eventually clinching promotion to League Two in 2016.

Hurst's work in the transfer market has been impressive, and he's even encouraging smart, passing football in Shropshire. Being softly spoken and slight in frame, the comparisons with Bournemouth's Eddie Howe are inevitable if Shrewsbury continues to quash preseason forecasts.

Tommy Wright

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

The former Newcastle United and Manchester City goalkeeper built his reputation in his native Northern Ireland before being handed the reigns at St. Johnstone.

Within 12 months, Wright was the most successful manager in the Perth club's history after guiding it to Scottish Cup glory with a 2-0 defeat of Dundee United at Celtic Park.

St. Johnstone has continually punched above its weight under Wright's watch, notably turfing Rosenborg from the 2013-14 Europa League's qualifying rounds. He won the inaugural Premiership Manager of the Season award after guiding the Saints to a second straight fourth-place finish in 2015-16.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images, unless stated otherwise)