This has no basis in fact, just uses some common sense and wishful thinking!
THE FAVOURITES
Billy Stark: According to Chick Young on Sportsound (so it must be true), the current Scotland under-21 boss is the board's favourite, but is unlikely to accept the job. He's done well with the national side, is a former player and did a decent job at Queen's Park. However, he was hopeless when he was in charge of Morton and St. Johnstone. Not a good shout
Kenny McDowall: One of the frontrunners among supporters at the moment. A Saints legend, he hasn't managed before but has spent the last decade on the coaching staff at both halves of the Old Firm. Highly regarded at Ibrox, he is working without a contract and may make the move if offered. Risky due to his inexperience, but would be an interesting gamble.
Andy Millen/someone else already at the club: The last two appointments have been internal, with varying degrees of success. However, Millen is likely to follow Gus out the door shortly, along with other members of his coaching staff. A fresh start is needed, so an internal appointment isn't an option.
Jimmy Calderwood: Out of contract at Kilmarnock - where Gus is supposedly headed - and waitng to hear what's happening. Managed to keep them up and did well with Aberdeen and Dunfermline, but had plenty of cash to splash there. Supposedly wants the money to take Killie into the top six, which he almost certainly won't get at Saints.
John Robertson: Cheap, which should suit the current board, and available. Did a good job at Caley Thistle and was decent at Hearts and Ross County, but has done nothing of note in the last few years.
Mixu Paatelainen: Former player who did a wonderful job at Cowdenbeath and wasn't too bad in charge of Hibs. Would be available for nothing.
John Collins: Another former Hibs manager and he won them the League Cup (obviously didn't come up against nine men). Supposedly a bit full of himself off the park and hasn't done anything in the last few years.
EACH WAY PICKS
Derek Adams: An appointment most fans would love to see. Has done a superb job at Ross County and will almost certainly move in the near future, so why not to us? Simple - compensation. Has a fairly lengthy contract at Dingwall and it's a bit much to pay for someone with no SPL experience.
Allan Moore: Got Stirling Albion promoted on a shoestring and is now being linked with the Morton job. However, like Adams he has no inexperience and Stirling are after lots of compensation.
Ian McCall: Got Falkirk promoted but that was seven years ago. Hasn't achieved anything spectacular since then and blew his SPL chance with Dundee United. Rescued Queen of the South from relegation and stabilised current club Partick Thistle, but his time has surely been.
Jocky Scott: Plenty of experience, mainly with Dundee, and unemployed. However, he blew the Dees promotion bid and may well be finished with management.
John McGlynn: Spent time working with kids at Hearts before moving to Raith Rovers, where he got them promoted and took them to Hampden. Wouldn't be the worst appointment ever.
Brian Reid: Did well to get Ayr promoted last season and almost kept them in the first division. Was linked with Blackpool last summer so is highly rated, but has limited experience.
RANK OUTSIDERS
Terry Butcher/Billy Reid/Derek McInnes: These three seem highly favoured by the bookies, but they've all done well with their current clubs and probably have more money to play with, so they won't leave. If they do, it'll be for someone bigger than us.
Mark McGhee: Never going to leave Aberdeen, but there's a chance he could be forced out - at which point he'd be free to come to us. Has had a terrible year at Pittodrie and is ever so slightly arrogant.
Ally McCoist: Walter Smith's assistant at Rangers and being groomed for the top job. However, if new owners tell them to do one he might fancy a crack at management somewhere else. The bookies are also going for player Davie Weir but that won't happen!
Jimmy Nicholl: Calderwood's faithful assistant, he may take the chance to be his own man after success at Raith Rovers in the 1990s.
Czaba Laszlo: Sacked by Hearts earlier this season despite getting them into Europe last term. Still living in Scotland and may fancy another crack at the SPL.
Danny Lennon: Worked wonders to get Cowdenbeath into the second division play-offs, especially as they were due to be a third division side this season. However, an SPL job is probably far too soon for him.
MILLION TO ONE SHOTS
Stevie Clark: A former player who wants to try his hand at management. Has been assistant manager at Chelsea and West Ham so probably out of our league - but almost set to be booted by the Hammers shortly so could be after a new job.
Paul Lambert: Another former Saint, he got Norwich promoted this season and is highly rated. If he moves, it'll probably be for someone bigger than us - no bad thing as he was useless at Livingston and Wycombe.
Stuart Baxter: Well, he's linked with every managerial vacancy that comes up!
Tony Mowbray: Sacked by Celtic after we humped them in March, he had success at Hibs and West Brom. Would imagine he has bigger ambitions than us.
George Burley: Hasn't had a job since Scotland sacked him last year. Did well with Hearts and Ipswich, but that was years ago!
Jim Gannon: Managed Motherwell for part of last season before being sacked and ended up at Peterbrough. Didn't exactly set the heather on fire there either.
NON STARTED
John Coughlin, Tom Hendrie, James Grady, Steven Pressley, Eddie May...
Just a few of the possible candidates - don't be surprised if the man we end up with isn't on that list!