Stoke City are considering the future of manager Mark Hughes, as their current slump continues.

Hughes was given a vote of confidence by Stoke chiefs in mid-December, and his side responded with victory over West Brom – but since then they have again struggled, and the weekend’s defeat to Newcastle lead to a number of home fans calling for his head.

Now the club’s chairman Peter Coates and the rest of the club’s hierarchy are looking at their options, and I understand a number of high calibre candidates have made it known to the club that they would be interested in taking charge at the bet365 Stadium – should the opportunity arise.

Stoke are currently just two places and two points above the drop-zone – and Hughes is now on the brink.

Bookmakers firmly believe that Hughes will be the next man out and Coral put him at 1/6 to be the next Premier League manager out, which is a 85% probability.

Mauricio Pellegrino is 5/1 to be the next manager to depart the league, while Rafa Benitez is 16/1.

“It is difficult to see Mark Hughes surviving this difficult run as Stoke boss and that is reflected in the betting as he is now long odds-on to be the next manager to depart in the Premier League,” said Coral’s John Hill.