Mark Hughes to be appointed Stoke manager 'by end of the week'

Former QPR manager set for return to the Premier League

Staff
Wednesday 29 May 2013 12:59 BST
Comments
Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Stoke City will appoint Mark Hughes as their new manager by the end of the week according to the BBC.

The former Manchester City, Fulham and QPR boss will succeed Tony Pulis at the Britannia Stadium.

According to the BBC, talks have gone well and leading figures at the Premier League club see the Welshman as a good fit.

The appointment would represent something of a coup for Hughes who was sacked by QPR midway through last season. Despite huge investment in playing staff during his tenure at Loftus Road, the club were rooted to the foot of the table when he was sacked. Despite changing the manager, the west London club were relegated at the end of the season.

Hughes' previous role had been at Fulham, where he spent one year before leaving in search of a club with more 'ambition'. Prior to that he had been sacked by Manchester City, spent an impressive four years at Blackburn Rovers and managed the Wales national team.

How his appointment at Stoke will be greeted by fans remains to be seen, although chairman of Stoke City's Supporters Club, Bryan Shaw, said he did not expect it to be universally popular.

"From all the people available, he would not have been my first choice, although he has a reasonable record apart from at QPR," he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"Not a lot of supporters wanted Tony Pulis back - that wasn't a popular decision because of his style of football. Probably half of the fan base was against him at first but he won the majority over. There is a feeling Hughes is similar.

"If you ask the majority of Stoke supporters, Mark Hughes would not be their first choice. That said, whoever the chairman appoints we have to get behind. We just have to hope he proves us wrong."

Pulis, who had retained Stoke's Premier League status for five years, was ousted at the end of a season in which the club flirted with relegation and were criticised for their style of play.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in