'Three managers in a campaign means something isn't right...'

JOHN Coates has delivered a frank and heartfelt state of play report on Stoke City following an "immensely disappointing" season when Championship safety was only secured on the final day.

- Peter Smith

In a wide-ranging interview, Coates admitted that for all the off-field investment and behind-the-scenes progress, results on the pitch have fallen far short of his or supporters’ expectations over the last seven years since slipping out of the Premier League.

It has been a chapter in the club's history that has been marked by instability in the dug out - and there has been a rapid turnover of managers since Alex Neil and Ricky Martin's big reset in 2023 went wrong, including a short-lived experiment with Narcis Pelach.

The frustration is clear - and he could probably use a stronger word than that - but Coates remains both financially and emotionally-invested and committed.

He has highlighted the people, changes and long-term planning that he hopes will kickstart better times but realises the proof will be in actions, not words - saying: “I know how close we are to turning this around,” he said. “But I, and the supporters, need to see it. I'm determined to make that happen.”

Here are the key points from the chairman's end of term interview.

DISAPPOINTING ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH A WORD

Stoke ended up in 18th this time around but the blunt truth is that they haven't finished above 14th since turning to Gary Rowett after relegation from the top flight. This hasn't just been a one-term dance with death at the bottom of the division.

There has been major invest-ment in the club during that time both in terms of the recruitment in 2018/19 and 2023/24 as well as renovating the stadium, building a new training facility and fan zone - but that hasn't translated into results.