The only way he’ll manage in the PL is if he takes a team there himself.
From an outsiders POV, he’s an excellent lower league manager (3rd tier and below) with an outstanding record down there.
Above that, he’s - so far- proving to be a “decent” Championship manager. The style we play is attracting admirers without doubt.
So; great in lower leagues; decent in the Championship; plays nice, entertaining football. All this done on a comparatively low budget. Sean O Driscolls Doncaster anyone? Nobody from the Premier League came in for him, did they? He was a dour, introverted Brummie with an accent. He didnt fit the image/fashion/glitz of the Premier League. Neither does CW- he’s not dour or introverted, but he does speak his mind, he can rub people up the wrong way and he’s also got an unfashionable accent.
I hate to say it, because WE know what a stunning job he’s done and because WE know the budget and constraints he’s done it under and remember the years before he arrived, but... its worth comparing his situation to Warnock. Again, great lower league record- again achieves on a budget. Is ahead of CW in terms of being up a level regarding Championship record and promotions from it, but CW is obviously younger and just starting that phase.
Point being, despite his successes in the Championship; promotions, rescuing teams from the edge of oblivion, etc no PL side have ever appointed him. Not one side no matter how dire their situation has ever gambled on him. He’s only managed there when he’s got sides there himself.
So who should we worry about? Current PL clubs? Nah. Relegated sides with whacking parachute transfer kitties? Possibly- but would they “gamble” on a “decent” Championship manager? They want to bounce straight back; if they can afford a proven top tier promotion winner or big name, they’ll go that route. Theres only 3 sides coming down and they’ll always be a Pulis or a Warnock available.
The threat for me, would be a big side struggling at the lower end of the Championship who still have a pile of money, but haven’t a clue how to use it at this level. Get CW in to pull them out of the mire, then see what he can do. If Southampton come down, start badly and in November, they sack whichever mercenery they appoint in the summer, THEN I’d be worried.