Stoke City have announced they have terminated the contract of manager Mark Hughes with immediate effect.
Hughes departs the bet365 Stadium after the FA Cup defeat by Coventry City on Saturday.
This followed the New Year's Day loss at home to Newcastle United which dropped Stoke into the relegation zone, in 18th.
"We would like to thank Mark for all he has achieved for the Club over the last four and a half years, notably in guiding us to three successive ninth places finishes in the Premier League, and we wish him every success for the future," a statement on the club's official website said.
"The Club will look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible and will be making no further comment at this time."
The 54-year-old, who has also managed Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League, had been in charge at Stoke since 2013.
Stoke’s next Premier League match is at Manchester United on Monday, 15 January.
