Monday 30 March 2015 16:58, UK
Stoke chairman Peter Coates admits he is impressed with the progress manager Mark Hughes has made since his arrival at the club.
The former Wales boss took over from Tony Pulis for the 2013/14 season after the club decided they needed a change of direction.
Hughes guided Stoke to ninth place, their highest finish since being promoted to the Premier League in 2008, with their biggest points tally of 50.
I am always cautious in football because things can easily go wrong, but we are really pleased with the progress we have made and we're delighted with Mark's attitude towards that.
Stoke are currently mid-table on 42 points with eight matches remaining and look set to better last season's points haul.
Hughes, 51, has already been rewarded with a new contract taking him to 2019, and is expected to be handed funds to spend in the summer to maintain his side's ambitions for European football.
Coates admits they had expected a short-term drop in performance following their decision to change the manager but it never materialised.
"When you make a change you think it will put you back initially because people have got to get used to working under a different approach," the chairman told the club's official website.
"I think he (Hughes) was surprised by the squad he inherited. He's done very well and the players have bought into him and the new style of play which has been very pleasing, exciting and encouraging.
"I've long held the view that the critical appointment at any football club is the football manager, if you get that right then you will always have a chance.
"Mark has done very well and we are very pleased with what he has achieved in his spell and we're obviously pleased he wants to continue.
"As ever we do want to get better and Mark has aspirations to get higher up the table and we want to support him in doing that.
'Progression'
"It's great to have him feel like he can achieve progression here and it's nice to hear him say it, he is certainly someone who is confident in what he can and can't do.
"I am always cautious in football because things can easily go wrong, but we are really pleased with the progress we have made and we're delighted with Mark's attitude towards that."
And Coates has revealed keeping hold of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic beyond the end of his current deal is top of the club's priorities.
The Bosnian, who has 12 months left on his existing deal, has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Real Madrid.
But speaking to Sky Sports News HQ Coates said: "There are some obvious things we want to do. We would like to extend Asmir Begovic’s contract, Jack Butland recently signed a new deal which we’re very pleased about.
“Steven N’Zonzi is a big player for us, we would like to extend his contact. Victor Moses is an interesting situation for us and we would like to see how the land lies with that one. If we can, we would like to do a deal.”
Watch Chelsea take on Mark Hughes' Stoke City on Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1, Saturday 4 April, starting at 4.45pm.
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