Tony Pulis wasn't surprised to be leaving Stoke City this week.

The Sentinel says sources close to Pulis say he was not entirely surprised by the outcome after the chairman's deafening silence in recent weeks on the subject of his City future.

They reported that he was sad to be leaving after a 10-year association with Stoke, but insisted he remained on good terms with the club's owners.

The 55-year-old, who was on a 12-month rolling deal, will take stock of events before seeking what would be his eighth managerial appointment - and that could even be in Europe or North America.