Stoke City have sacked their manager Mark Hughes following their 2-1 away defeat versus League Two side Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday. Coventry took the lead in the contest through Jordan Willis in the 24th minute but were pegged back by Stoke just after the second half when the Potters equalized through a Charlie Adam penalty. However, the Sky Blues found the winner courtesy of a Jack Grimmer goal which settled the tie and ended up to be the final nail in Mark Hughes’ tenure at Stoke City.
A club statement has been released since then which state that: “Stoke City can confirm that the contract of manager Mark Hughes has been terminated with immediate effect.
CLUB STATEMENT: Stoke City can confirm that the contract of manager Mark Hughes has been terminated with immediate effect.#SCFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/pSaThNUO2H
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) January 6, 2018
“We would like to thank Mark for all he has achieved for the club over the last four-and-a-half years, notably in guiding us to three successive ninth places finishes in the Premier League, and we wish him every success for the future.
“The Club will look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible and will be making no further comment at this time.”
Some fans have already reacted angrily and have taken Twitter to express their views.
https://twitter.com/_Icfc/status/949736075358072835
While others are wishing the manager well while also stating that he is not the only one at fault for the club’s misfortunes this season.
https://twitter.com/scfcjase/status/949735978389901316
John Percy of the Telegraph has also revealed his opinion on the matter, “Stoke dismissed Hughes at the training ground a few hours after the Coventry defeat. The board were desperate for Hughes to succeed and then review the position in the summer. The determination to stay loyal is to be admired, rather than criticised, in my opinion.”
Stoke dismissed Hughes at the training ground a few hours after the Coventry defeat. The board were desperate for Hughes to succeed and then review position in the summer. The determination to stay loyal is to be admired, rather than criticised, in my opinion #scfc
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) January 6, 2018
Former Stoke City player Matthew Etherington also weighed in on the matter and stated, “Hughes did a decent job early on at Stoke taking over TP, so you have to commend him for that. However, it seems from the manager up to the board, there isn’t a realisation of the trouble the club is in. Time for a change.”
https://twitter.com/mattyethers/status/947875096286388224
BBC Journalist Matt Sandoz could relate to the Stoke supporters’ frustrations and said, “Stoke City fans can’t put up with this anymore. The team has little direction and zero identity. Even a second half turn around isn’t going to appease a fanbase whose patience has been tested beyond the breaking point.”
Stoke City fans can't put up with this any more. The team has little direction and zero identity. Even a second half turn around isn't going to appease a fanbase whose patience has been tested beyond breaking point. #SCFC
— Matt Sandoz (@mattsandoz1) January 6, 2018
A Stoke City club journalist wished their former manager well and expressed, “Never nice to see anyone lose their job, sadly that’s football. Speaking professionally, the gaffer was an absolute pleasure to work with & should he ever return to the away dugout, he will be welcomed in our media office with open arms. Wish him well for the future.”
Never nice to see anyone lose their job, sadly that’s football.
Speaking professionally, the gaffer was an absolute pleasure to work with & should he ever return in the away dugout, he will be welcomed in our media office with open arms.
Wish him well for the future.#SCFC pic.twitter.com/BARUAR0w85
— Jon Sidaway (@JonSidaway) January 6, 2018
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Potters in their quest to save themselves from a possible relegation.
