Manager Tony Pulis set to leave Stoke

Pulis met with chairman Peter Coates today for their end-of-season review and both have decided on a parting of the ways.

The 55-year-old manager, in charge at the Britannia Stadium since 2006, has been hurt by criticism from supporters over the team's style of play, having taken the club to a Wembley FA Cup final and into Europe.

Famed for their team spirit over recent years, Stoke have been hit by high-profile problems with players this season as they flirted with relegation.

Jermaine Pennant has not played for the club since August after falling out with Pulis, while there is currently an internal investigation into allegations a pig's head was left in the locker of striker Kenwyne Jones.

In the fall-out, the window of a Porsche owned by midfielder Glenn Whelan was smashed.

But, at the weekend, Pulis insisted he expected to stay at the Britannia despite the rising pressure.

He said: "Yes. I have done everything a manager should do. There's been no change in anything I have done over the last six years.

"There's been talk of changes with the chairman. I have not heard anything. Everything is ifs, buts and maybes."