Former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka would be keen to become the new manager of Stoke City if Nathan Jones is sacked, according to Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic.

The pressure has piled on Jones in recent weeks, with the Welshman still looking to guide his side to their first league win of the Championship campaign.

The Potters have endured a dismal start to the season, and fell to their eighth defeat of the season against fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.

Jones has since come out and said that he has the full backing of the club's owners and board, but the club have already reportedly been looking at Chris Hughton and Mick McCarthy as potential replacements.

The Athletic now claim that former Forest and Boro manager Aitor Karanka is monitoring Stoke's situation, and would be interested in replacing Jones if he is let go by Stoke.

Karanka has been out of work since leaving Nottingham Forest in January, where his relationship with the board became fractious despite the Reds sitting within touching distance of the play-off places.

The Spaniard has also been successful at Championship level before, winning automatic promotion to the Premier League with Middlesbrough in 2016.

Stoke sit six points adrift of safety at the bottom of the league, and face Swansea City in Wales this weekend.

The Verdict

I think Karanka would be an excellent appointment for Stoke.

His philosophy is based on possession and keeping hold of the ball, but also focuses upon being organised defensively.

Stoke need that kind of manager, as they have already conceded 21 goals in the Championship this season.

He knows what it takes to win games at this level, and he'd be a great replacement for Jones.