Mark Hughes sacked by Stoke after FA Cup defeat

Hughes was given his marching orders after watching his side slump to a 2-1 defeat at Coventry in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

"Stoke City can confirm that the contract of manager Mark Hughes has been terminated with immediate effect," the club said in a statement on their official Twitter feed.

"We would like to thank Mark for all he has achieved for the Club over the last four and a half years, notably in guiding us to three successive ninth places finishes in the Premier League, and we wish him every success for the future.

"The Club will look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible and will be making no further comment at this time."

Martin O'Neill is 7/2 favourite to replace Hughes, with Ryan Giggs next at 11/2.

Aitor Karanka, also linked with the vacant Nottingham Forest job, is available at 7/1 along with Gary Rowett, with Roberto Mancini 8/1 and Slaven Bilic 9/1.

Hughes was appointed at Stoke on May 30, 2013, taking over from fellow Welshman Tony Pulis.

He leaves the club 16th in the Premier League standings and with only one win in their last eight games in all competitions.

Hughes had exactly 200 games in charge of the Potters, following spells in charge of QPR, Fulham, Manchester City, Blackburn and Wales.

Who might replace Hughes?

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Martin O'Neill

Currently in charge of Republic Of Ireland, O'Neill might not look an obvious candidate but was nevertheless installed as early favourite to replace Hughes. He worked wonders at Leicester and also managed Aston Villa so a return to the midlands is possible after his current side failed to progress to the World Cup.

Ronald Koeman

Worked relative wonders at a similar-sized Premier League club in Southampton, whom he guided to two consecutive top-seven finishes, and is unlikely to be too tainted by his subsequent disappointment at Everton. The Dutchman would likely prove a popular choice if he could be convinced that the Potters were a club that matched his ambitions.

Gary Rowett

Harshly dismissed by Birmingham when the club were just outside the play-off places in the Sky Bet Championship. Subsequently back to work for Derby and impressing again as he leads their promotion push. Seems a matter of time before he's managing in the top flight - either with Derby, or a side like Stoke.

Slavisa Jokanovic

Whether the current Fulham boss could be prised away from Craven Cottage is a big question, but there are few doubts about Jokanovic's suitability for the role. After previous success with Watford and Maccabi Tel Aviv, as well as changing the fortunes of the west Londoners, Jokanovic may feel the time is right to give the Premier League a shot.

Ryan Giggs

Perennially associated with vacant Premier League roles, Giggs' name will doubtless once again be in the running for the Britannia Stadium role. Giggs would bring new ideas and experience of working with Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, but it is unlikely Stoke chief Peter Coates would consider him the right fit at this stage.

Aitor Karanka

The Spaniard's Middlesbrough team did not send pulses racing but they functioned on defensive discipline and how that is needed at Stoke. The Potters have shipped goals at an alarming rate this season and Karanka, who is still based in the north of England, has stated his desire for a new project.

Graham Potter

The last remaining English manager in European club competition this season, Potter has worked wonders with Swedish minnows Ostersunds - and happens to have played 45 times for the Potters in the mid-1990s. Would be a brave and left-field choice, but Potter's record in Sweden stands up against some of the very best in the business.

• All odds correct at 2000 GMT on 06/01/18 and subject to change

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