Mark Robins has emerged as the early favourite to take over at Stoke City after Narcis Pelach has been sacked by the Championship club after just 19 matches in charge.

Stoke confirmed the decision late on Friday night, following the Potters’ 2-0 reverse to Leeds United at the Bet365 Stadium on Boxing Day evening which leaves them on a run of nine matches without a win.

Pelach, 36, only took over from Steven Schumacher in September after he was relieved of his duties following the defeat away at Oxford United. While there was a brief promise in results - Stoke stuck six past Portsmouth and knitted together wins over Derby and Blackburn in early November - the club’s form has since deteriorated dramatically.

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Stoke have collected just one point from the last 18 available and the defeat to table topping Leeds proved to be the death knell of Pelach’s reign which was still in its infancy. Stoke, who are hovering precariously above the relegation zone, find themselves now hunting a third manager of the season on the eve of the January transfer window.

The task of identifying and recruiting a new boss will be led by sporting director Jon Walters, who has publicly communicated that he takes ‘full responsibility’ for the hiring and firing of Pelach, a managerial venture which clearly hasn’t worked for the club. Despite their league position, Stoke’s vacancy ought to remain an attractive one and bookmakers have already begun to draw up markets, indicators of who may be in the running for the job.

And it’s no surprise that former Coventry City boss Robins is top of the list of front runners. The 55-year-old has been out of work since being dismissed by the Sky Blues on November 7, bringing an end to an incredible seven and a half year spell of largely success at the club.

He indicated shortly afterwards that he was keen to get back into the game somewhere else and Stoke is a really good fit for Robins, both in terms of ambition to gain promotion and test himself in the Premier League – something he was desperate to do with Coventry until owner Doug King pulled the plug last month in a decision that was hugely unpopular with the fans.

Stoke have been long-time admirers of Robins and previously made inquiries about his availability when the Bet365 Stadium vacancy cropped up on previous occasions. It is also perfect in terms of location for Robins, who lives in Derbyshire.

Stoke City next manager odds

Mark Robins 3/1

Steve Cooper 5/1

Tony Mowbray 5/1

Russell Martin 6/1

Mat Sadler 14/1

Ryan Lowe 14/1

David Moyes 16/1

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