Paul Lambert has left his post as Stoke City manager after just five months, the club have confirmed.
Paul Lambert Leaves Stoke City
Lambert was appointed as a replacement to Mark Hughes, who was sacked by the club in January following a worrying first half to the season that saw them drop down to the relegation zone.
The Scotsman was meant to turn the tide and save their season but was unable to do so. Instead, the Potters finished 19th – one place lower than they were when Hughes left, and 11 points less than they had earned the season before. They won only one game during Lambert’s tenure, and it saw them drop down to the Championship exactly ten years on from winning promotion to the Premier League.
Stoke confirmed Lambert’s departure in a club statement that read: “Stoke City can confirm that Paul Lambert has today left his position as manager by mutual consent.
Club Statement
“We would like to thank Paul for his work over the past four months and wish him well for the future. While he was unable to guide us to Premier League safety after being appointed in January, it certainly wasn’t due to a lack of effort, professionalism and dedication on his part.
“The Club will appoint a replacement as soon as possible in order to give the new manager time to prepare for the challenge of the 2018-19 season in the Championship.”
Stoke’s relegation was arguably one of the biggest surprises of the 2017-18 Premier League season. They were once seen as formidable opponents and only seemed to be getting better under Mark Hughes. He led them to three consecutive ninth-placed finishes after taking over from Tony Pulis back in 2013.
However, the rot started from the 2016-17 season. They finished 13th and before they knew how to stop it, they found themselves back in the Championship. They will now have to find a new manager as they prepare to fight to return to the Premier League. Several reports have linked Sam Allardyce, who was recently sacked by Everton, to the job.
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