Stoke City manager Paul Lambert has left the club by mutual consent. 

The Scotsman took over partway through January, after the Potters decided to cut ties with long-time coach Mark Hughes and appoint Lambert to ensure Premier League safety.

Four months later, and it’s Stoke who experienced relegation – at the expense of Hughes’ Southampton. 

Lambert had been out of management since the end of last season, where he left Wolves after less than a season in charge. 

The 48-year-old’s last long stint at a club ended in 2015, when Aston Villa sacked the former Scottish international at the beginning of a season that saw them relegated to the Championship. 

In 15 games with Stoke, Lambert experienced victory on just two occasions – seven draws and six defeats condemning the club to relegation. 

Lambert has also spent time with Blackburn and Norwich in recent years. 

Stoke will now look to appoint a manager who can limit their stay in the second tier to just the one season.