Tony Pulis has left Stoke City after seven years in charge, Sky sources understand.
The Welshman guided Stoke to the Premier League during his second spell at the helm and later led them to an FA Cup final and into Europe.
But the Potters were dragged into relegation trouble last season and Pulis drew criticism from some sections of the Britannia Stadium support over his side’s style of play.
Chairman Peter Coates had refused to discuss the 55-year-old’s future while the club struggled in 2013 but it is understood a decision to part ways was made during an end-of-season debrief on Tuesday.
Sky Bet swiftly installed former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo as the favourite to succeed him, with ex-QPR manager Mark Hughes also a frontrunner.
Pulis first took the Potters job in 2002 and returned in 2006 after a stint at Plymouth Argyle, overseeing promotion to the top flight two years later.
Tony Pulis leaves Stoke after seven years as manager
