Stoke City have parted company with Mark Hughes after the Potters suffered a surprise FA Cup exit away to League Two side Coventry City, reports BBC Sport.
The 2-1 defeat at the Ricoh Arena was Stoke’s sixth in their last eight games in all competitions. Hughes’ departure comes as the Potters are currently 18th in the Premier League with 20 points from 22 games, having also conceded more goals (47) than any other club.
The 54-year-old was appointed manager of Stoke in 2013, replacing the long-serving Tony Pulis and led the Potters to their highest league finish (9th) and points tally (50) in his debut season.
Stoke finished ninth in three consecutive campaigns before struggling in 2016/17 – 13th place on 44 points. This season started poorly too, with Hughes’ side managing just two league wins in their first nine games, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea (September) and a 7-2 defeat to Manchester City (October).
Stoke’s heaviest Premier League defeats (2017/18)
- 23/9/17: Stoke City 0-4 Chelsea
- 14/10/17: Manchester City 7-2 Stoke City
- 29/11/17: Stoke City 0-3 Liverpool
- 9/12/17: Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 Stoke City
- 16/12/17: Stoke City 0-3 West Ham United
- 30/12/17: Chelsea 5-0 Stoke City
Hughes was already under pressure leading up to their FA Cup clash, but defeat to a side three divisions below them was the final straw. Stoke will be searching for a replacement as soon as possible.
