Stoke City chairman Peter Coates is delighted with their progress under manager Mark Hughes.

The chairman believes the results over the 21 months that have followed are vindication for that decision.

"Every appointment is a risk, there are no certainties in football, but we looked at the situation very carefully and thought we were doing the right thing," he told The Sentinel.

"We are in a results game and I think finishing in the top 10 of the Premier League for the first time last season was a real statement.

"You can pick out highlights, but I think that finish speaks for itself and hopefully we are on the road to do even better this season.

"It has been an unusual season with a lot of injuries to key players, but we have still given ourselves a strong footing. I'm very pleased. It's very good news for the football club. I think our supporters are pleased with what he's done too."