Stoke appoint Hughes as manager

English Premier League club Stoke have appointed Mark Hughes as their new manager, taking over from fellow Welshman Tony Pulis.

Pulis' seven-year stay with the club ended last week, and the 49-year-old Hughes quickly emerged as favourite to succeed him.

Hughes, the former Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich striker, has been out of work since being sacked by QPR last November.

He previously coached the Wales national team, former club Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham, before taking over at QPR.