Peter Coates is one of the most patient owners in the EPL which is one of the reasons why Stoke has had only two managers since their promotion to the EPL in 2008. So why then was Mark Hughes sacked last week after taking the club to a record ninth place finish three successive seasons ?
Having inherited a defensively sound side from Tony Pulis in 2013, Hughes took the side to the Semi-final of the League Cup in 2016 losing on penalties as well as playing a more attractive brand of football , finishing a record ninth three times.
On the other side , Stoke lost their defensive discipline conceding 47 goals in 22 league games this season (worst goal difference in the league -24) with only two sides having survived relegation after such abysmal defending Swansea (51 goals) 2017 and Wigan (47 goals in 2010). Presently Stoke lie 18th in the league winning just five games and losing 12 times (14 points from 11 home games).
Also to noted is his failure in the transfer market with flops Giani Imbula costing a then record £18m, Kevin Wimmer £18m, Saido Berahinho £12m going blank in 23 league games despite 11 starts, Xherdan Shaqiri then record £12m blowing hot and cold. With the last straw the FA Cup third-round loss to Lesgue Two Coventry City last week.
Clearly it is obvious Coates felt Hughes was no longer the right one for the job at the moment which is understandable.
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