Stoke City appoint Paul Lambert

The 48-year-old takes over with the Potters 18th in the table following Mark Hughes’ dismissal earlier in January.

“Paul greatly impressed us with his knowledge of our squad and had a clear plan of how he would improve our results,” Stoke chairman Peter Coates told the club website.

“He’s a man who backed himself as a player, none more so than when he turned down contract offers in Scotland to go on trial in the German Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, and it’s obvious he adopts the same approach as a manager.”

Stoke can climb out of the relegation zone on Monday evening, but only if they defeat second-placed Manchester United at Old Trafford.