Captain Ben Gibson has thanked outgoing Narcis Pelach who was sacked as Stoke City boss last night following a dismal run of form that has left them anxiously looking over their shoulders in the Championship.

Defeat to Leeds United on Boxing Day was enough to convince Stoke's hierarchy to swing the axe just three months after Pelach had arrived from Norwich City. Stoke have won just twice in their last 16 games and currently sit three points above the relegation zone in the Championship in what has been a hugely disappointing campaign.

Sporting director Jon Walters is now under huge pressure to get the next appointment right, having accepted that Pelach's failure was his "responsibility".

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Stoke are now battling to avoid being dragged into a fight for survival and Potters captain Gibson, who knew Pelach from his time at Norwich, appreciated his efforts.

"Thanks for everything over the last two years boss," he wrote on Instagram. "Amazing person and coach. Good luck for what comes next."

Early bookies' favourites to replace Pelach are Mark Robins, who is free to manage again after being sacked by Coventry City before being replaced by Frank Lampard.

He is closely followed by Tony Mowbray and Steve Cooper, the former Leicester City manager who was sacked by the Foxes. Russell Martin, recently fired by Southampton after a dismal start to the season, is fourth in the bookies' odds of contenders to replace Pelach at the helm.

Who would you like to see as Pelach's replacement? Have your say HERE.