Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has said that Premier League managers must be given a chance to prove themselves at a club.

The Potters recently replaced manager Tony Pulis, who had been in charge at the Britannia Stadium for seven years.

Coates told Sky Sports News: "We've had seven years with Tony which is quite a long time in modern football. The game is changing and there is a tendency for managers to be at clubs for shorter periods.

"There will be no more Alex Ferguson and even David Moyes with his long period at Everton. But, I believe that you have to give managers a chance. It's a tough job but they get well paid. That goes with the job."

Earlier this week, Stoke announced that Mark Hughes will be the club's new manager.

Written by
Sian Cowper