Stoke City appoints Paul Lambert as manager

Stoke City's search for a manager is over after just nine days with confirmation Monday that Paul Lambert will succeed Mark Hughes.

The Scottish manager put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract to mark his return to the Premier League for the first time since 2015 when he was in charge of Aston Villa.

“Paul has been successful in management at clubs with a strong and stable background and with local ownership – the kind of foundation we are able to give to our managers," Stoke City's vice-chairman John Coates said.

“We were determined to appoint someone with Premier League experience or an extensive knowledge of English football. We look forward to working with Paul and supporting him to help achieve our goals.”

A statement from Stoke states that the club was eager to appoint a new manager considering the club occupies the final relegation spot in the table with just 20 points after 23 contests.

Lambert began his coaching career in his native Scotland with Livingston before stops with Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester United, Norwich City, and Aston Villa. He's spent the last two seasons in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton.