Lambert keen to hit ground running with Stoke

PAUL Lambert has stressed it did not matter to him if he was “15th or 50th choice” to become Stoke’s new manager as he expressed his delight at landing the job.

Lambert, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract, is successor to the sacked Mark Hughes.

Stoke, currently 18th in the Premier League, had been interested in Gary Rowett before he signed a new contract at Derby, and subsequently targeted Espanyol boss Quique Sanchez Flores and Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, both of whom removed themselves from the running.

The Scot said: “Whether I was 15th or 50th choice, it didn’t matter to me one bit, because it is a fantastic football club.

“I’ve had the top people trust me that I can do it and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m absolutely delighted that they chose me and that I’m working under them.”

Former Norwich and Aston Villa boss Lambert has not managed in the top flight since being sacked by the latter in 2015, having spells since in charge of Blackburn and then Wolves in the Championship.

He admitted: “I never thought I would get the chance again to come back in to this level, unless you took a team from the Championship back up, that’s just the way the game is going.

“I’m honoured and privileged to be here and I can’t wait to get started.”

While there may have been fans underwhelmed by the appointment, ‘Paul Lambert’s Barmy Army’ was heard being chanted by Stoke supporters on Monday evening at Old Trafford, where the 48-year-old watched the 3-0 loss to Manchester United from the stands.

Asked about this, Lambert — whose first game in charge is Saturday’s home clash with Huddersfield — said: “I started it!

“It was great. They will come here on Saturday and get right behind the team, I know they will.

“It’s up to me to get a team on the pitch that gives them something.” Unfazed: Paul Lambert must keep Stoke in Premier League