Stoke boss Paul Lambert’s future in doubt with June deadline in termination contract clause
Defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday ended Potters' 10-year stay in top flight but Lambert insists he is the man to lead club back to Premier League
PAUL LAMBERT’S future at Stoke is under a cloud and could leave the club next month, according to reports.
Lambert, who replaced Mark Hughes in January, signed a two-and-a-half year contract, but the The Guardian say the deal has a two-way break clause kicking in at the end of June.
The clause was inserted to allow both parties flexibility come the end of the season.
Defeat at home the Crystal Palace on Saturday condemned the Potters to the Championship next season after 10 years in the top flight.
Despite failing to make the required impact at the Bet 365 stadium – just one win in 14 league games, the Scot insists he is the man to lead Stoke back to the big time.
He said: “I’d love to be here next season.
“I think it's a brilliant club. You can relate to the supporters because it's a really hard-working city.
“I’m from an area like that myself so I know what it's like but the club needs rebuilding without a shadow of a doubt.”
GONE TO POT Stoke star Jack Butland slams ‘farcical’ signings for Premier League relegation
He had similar clauses in place at Blackburn and Wolves.
There were early indications Lambert would remain at the helm next season regardless of relegation.
The club top brass were impressed with his ability to get more out of the squad he inherited from Hughes.
Then it tailed off badly and as Lambert failed to find any answers as Stoke went 13 games without a league win.
Despite the alarming run of results, the Scot will be desperate to convince chairman Peter Coates and chief executive Tony Scholes he can lead them back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.