Life as a football manager is tough. One minute you're on top of the world, the next you're out of a job.

Look at John Askey for instance. He won the National League with Macclesfield in May and earned a shot at managing Shrewsbury Town. Five months later, he's unemployed. As is Paul Hurst, the man who left Shrewsbury for Ipswich. Mark Yates, Askey's replacement at Macclesfield, is also out of work.

Yesterday was a particular hard day for managers with no fewer than three leaving their roles, Askey, Phil Brown at Swindon and Neal Ardley at Wimbledon. Ardley, a Wimbledon player for over a decade, will feel the pinch more than most. He's fought hard to keep the minnows competitive in League One and his dismissal is harsh.

Bristol Rovers are only just above the drop zone in League One and their manager, Darrell Clarke, is under pressure right now. His side have won just three of their last ten matches, with one of those wins coming in the EFL Trophy. A 1-1 draw with Barnet this weekend in the FA Cup only heightened the pressure.

Who could replace Clarke is he goes? We look at three possible replacements.

54-year-old Cotterill has been in charge at no fewer than nine clubs, one of which is Bristol City, so he might not be a popular choice.

He would, however, be an experienced one, a disciplinarian who instils steel and combativeness in his sides.

They might not like it at the Gas, but he'd be a good fit there.

If they felt like a gamble, Luke Garrard at Boreham Wood must be worth a look.

He worked wonders there last season, getting them to the playoff final on a strict budget and he's a real rising start in the management field.

It would be a big jump for him, but Paul Hurst and Danny Cowley have proven it possible.

41-year-old Heckingbottom might have had his work cut out at Leeds, but his Barnsley record speaks for itself.

He earned promotion from League One, as well as winning the EFL Trophy and he would be a sound pair of hands if the need arose.