Following yet another disappointing defeat, Mark Hughes is on the brink at Stoke – with Ryan Giggs emerging as the favourite to replace him.
After the Potters were knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two outfit Coventry – hot on the heels of defeat in their ‘must-win’ clash with Newcastle and 5-0 drubbing by Chelsea – it is expected that Hughes will face the chop.
He is now odds-on (5/6) not to be in charge for Stoke’s next fixture, against Manchester United, and it looks like a fellow former Red Devils star will replace him, with Giggs soaring up the betting during this afternoon’s embarrassment at Coventry.
Giggs is now in pole position for the job (3/1), the clear favourite ahead of Martin O’Neill (17/2), Ronald Koeman (14/1) and a surprise return for Tony Pulis (20/1).
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “It has been obvious that Mark Hughes’s days are numbered at Stoke for a while now, and it looks like the Potters will turn to a (wing) wizard for his successor.
“Ryan Giggs has shot up the betting, and is now our clear favourite for the role – which should at least put Sparky’s mind at rest regarding who else would be up for his job.”
NEXT STOKE MANAGER
3/1 Ryan Giggs
17/2 Martin O’Neill
14/1 Ronald Koeman
20/1 Tony Pulis
25/1 Garry Monk
33/1 Gus Poyet