Stoke Unveil New Manager

[Tommy]

Stoke have announced Dutchman Johan Boskamp as their new manager to replace Tony Pulis.

Boskamp, 56, was a member of Holland's 1978 World Cup squad, and has wide coaching experience.

As well as coaching Belgian side Anderlecht and Genk, Boskamp has coached the Georgian national team and worked in the Middle East.

Pulis was dismissed on Tuesday, two months after signing a new two-year deal with the Potters.

Pulis's dismissal came as a surprise to many Stoke fans, but his departure has ended any possibility of director Peter Coates mounting a takeover bid for the club.

Coates launched a bid to take over the club, with the condition that Pulis remained in charge.

Stoke's Icelandic owners took a pre-emptive strike by dismissing Pulis.

Director of football John Rudge hopes to stay on with the Potters but assistant manager Lindsay Parsons and first-team coach Dave Kemp will both leave the club.

Boskamp brings fellow Dutchman, Jan de Koning, to the Britannia Stadium as his assistant.

Stoke chairman Gunnar Por Gislason believes new boss Boskamp can succeed where he thinks Pulis failed.

Gislason said: "In the past two or three years we have not been able to attract foreign players as much as we would have liked.

"We are hoping that Mr Boskamp, with his experience and knowledge of foreign markets, especially in Holland and Belgium, can bring players to this club that can be something for the supporters to look forward to seeing."