You're quite right. We really should be contenders regardless of the manager but it's a no brainer that certain managers will make that a reality. That maybe comes at a cost in terms of playing style but if the goal is promotion and the income that represents on the balance sheet (again PSR) then an astute owner may be forgiven for seeing that as their primary focus rather than the never ending bollocks we hear about "building a club style that....." yah di yah blah. I mean, we've heard that ****e repeatedly and so have fans of all clubs. Few pull it off.Also, look at Spors' latest interview. He wants to build a club based around high energy, pressing football (which we're all delighted by). That would discount half of your list.
TBH - unless we recruited an absolute dud, we should be promotion contenders.
I joked about Parker on here a while ago but he'd be my absolute first choice if I had a magic wand. Warnock? Well yes, dinosaur may be apt but he's a Promotoutofchampoctosaurus. My point is it's really easy to structure a deal that says x to the media but really means get us up and we'll bung you a few million. Horses for courses.