5 possible replacements for Mark Hughes at Stoke City

#4 Aitor Karanka

The defensive-minded Karanka would help shore up the leaky defence if appointed

A former assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid and manager of Middlesbrough last season, Aitor Karanka is a possible option for the Potters.

He was a defender during his playing days and won numerous trophies with Real Madrid.

Given Stoke's shambolic defending this season, the Spaniard renowned for is defensive organization could be a great appointment for the club.

Stoke have lacked a defensive core for much of the season and with constant injuries inhibiting the new defenders from being properly integrated with the old stalwarts like Ryan Shawcross, a change in management could help the team's constant reshuffling at the back.