LAMBERT LEAVES IN STOKE FALL-OUT
PAUL LAMBERT has left Stoke by mutual consent after demanding a decision on his future in talks with the club’s hierarchy.
Sportsmail revealed yesterday that Lambert was due to meet vice-chairman John Coates against a backdrop of the Stoke board discussing the manager’s position after relegation. They are now searching for a manager to oversee the rebuilding job that needs to take place in the Championship. David Moyes was discussed when Mark Hughes was sacked in January and another approach is expected. But there are doubts the 55-year-old Scot would be willing to drop a division after performing well at West Ham, even allowing for his good relationship with Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes. Gary Rowett was Stoke’s first choice to replace Hughes but he signed a new contract at Derby. Stoke may try again after the Rams missed promotion. Mick McCarthy is available after quitting Ipswich and has two promotions to the Premier League on his c.v. with Sunderland and Wolves. Stoke owner Peter Coates has preferred British managers in the past but it is believed his son John will take the lead now and is said to want to explore the possibility of a foreign coach. Whoever takes charge will have to deal with a fractured squad, as made plain by Jack Butland and Charlie Adam. The England goalkeeper questioned the reliability of some players, while Adam said some in the side had been ‘getting away with murder’. The new manager will also need to address the situation regarding Saido Berahino as the striker is understood to be earning £50,000 a week on a contract running to 2022. Major departures are expected too, notably Butland, Xherdan Shaqiri and Joe Allen. The position of technical director Mark Cartwright is under scrutiny after a disastrous recruitment drive left Stoke with £50million of talent left out of the side, including record signing Giannelli Imbula, Berahino and £18m defender Kevin Wimmer. Butland said Stoke’s transfer dealings had been ‘farcical’. Meanwhile, Swansea have confirmed that Carlos Carvalhal’s contract will not be renewed, as revealed by
Sportsmail last week. First-team coaches Joao Mario and Bruno Lage have also left, along with match analysts Jhony Conceicao and Paulo Sampaio. The club are looking for their fifth boss in 19 months and intend to appoint a younger manager, which could open the door to their highly rated Under 23s coach Cameron Toshack, 48, son of former Swansea and Wales manager John. Swansea are also interest in Graham Potter, who has impressed at Swedish club Ostersunds, but may face competition from Stoke.