A run of five defeats in seven Premier League games also contributed to Hughes’ departure and he leaves with the club in the relegation zone.

Hughes, 54, had been in charge of the Potters for four and a half years.

Stoke, who play Manchester United on 15 January, say they will “look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible”.

A section of Stoke fans called for him to leave and held up banners throughout the 2-1 defeat at the Ricoh Arena.

After the game – his 200th in all competitions as Stoke manager – Hughes said he did not think the defeat changed the situation regarding his future and said it “might be a blessing” for the rest of the season.

Hughes, a former Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and QPR boss, succeeded Tony Pulis at Stoke in May 2013 and was the fourth longest-serving manager at a Premier League club.

The Welshman guided Stoke to three straight ninth-placed finishes, dropping to 13th last season.

A miserable run of form

Hughes rested players as Stoke lost 5-0 at Chelsea on 30 December, saying they were focusing on the Newcastle game on New Year’s Day.

But a 1-0 defeat by the Magpies, who were a point worse off than their opponents before kick-off, put more pressure on Hughes and saw Stoke fall to 18th in the table on goal difference.

Stoke have conceded five or more in three Premier League games this season and have let in a total of 47 goals – seven more than the second-worst tally held by both West Ham and Watford.

The 5-1 defeat by Tottenham at Wembley on 9 December prompted angry fans to confront the Stoke players at the city’s railway station.

After that game, Hughes said there had been “an undercurrent” through his time at the club from fans who were against his appointment.

On Thursday Hughes said he did not need reassurance about his position.

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Source: BBC Sport

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The Potters are 16th in the Premier League with just one win in eight games as they prepare to host West Brom.

Some media reports have said Hughes, who joined the club in 2013, must win on Saturday or he will be sacked.

“I don’t think that is where we are at. A lot of comments come from people who have not watched our games – they are picking up hearsay and embellishing it,” Hughes said.

“You guys in the media set timelines on it but that is not what is happening in the corridors here in my view,” added the 54-year-old Welshman.

A seventh departure? Or reprieve from local owner?

Stoke have conceded 39 goals this season – a Premier League high – but Hughes said injuries have prevented him picking a consistent back four.

The former Wales manager also claims his side has been “hurt by referee decisions”, pointing to a penalty award which gave West Ham the lead in their 3-1 win at Stoke last week and later saw Manuel Lanzini banned for diving.

Hughes is odds-on favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post and has said anxiety from supporters is “understandable”.

However, he feels his position is strengthened by Stoke-born club owner Peter Coates being heavily involved on a day-to-day basis.

“The owners and everyone connected with the club are fully informed,” Hughes added. “They come to the game themselves. They are here every week. They are not in some far-off land watching on TV.

“They are around the club every single day. They are at the coal face. They would sense if something needs to change. It doesn’t.”

Should Hughes be sacked, he would become the seventh Premier League manager to depart his job before Christmas, equalling the record set in both 2004 and 2007.

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Source: BBC

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His comments follow newspaper reports the striker was banned after failing an out-of-competition drugs test.

Hughes said the 23-year-old, who joined the Potters for £12m in January, was banned for a “Football Association disciplinary matter”.

The Welshman said he saw no reason for Berahino not to face his former club at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

Hughes, 53, said the forward had “issues at his previous club for 18 months”, adding: “We were aware of that before we signed him.

“As with all players, we did our research on him before we signed him, but that didn’t change our thinking at all.

“In terms of more detail, you would probably need to refer back to his former club, West Brom. We are pleased with what he is producing and he is looking forward to the game tomorrow.

“Why wouldn’t I play him?” added Hughes. “He is in line to be involved.”

West Brom boss Tony Pulis confirmed Berahino served a ban, but would not comment on why.

“He didn’t play for me because he wasn’t fit enough,” added Pulis. “This football club looked after Saido very well while he was here. The club looks after all the players.

“Saido was one of the main reasons this club stayed in the Premier League two seasons ago. In his own mind he wanted to move.”

The FA said it does not comment on issues regarding doping violations unless they breach the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
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Source: BBC

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