PAUL Lambert has been appointed as the new manager of Premier League outfit Stoke City.

The 48-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at the Bet365 Stadium, with the club currently sitting in 18th place in the table.

He replaces Mark Hughes in the role after the Welshman was sacked earlier this month following a shock FA Cup exit to League Two side Coventry City.

The Potters are currently on a poor run that has seen them lose six of their last eight matches and they travel to Manchester United on league duty tonight, which Lambert will watch from the stands as Eddie Niedzwiecki takes charge of the first team.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates told the club's website: “Paul greatly impressed us with his knowledge of our squad and had a clear plan of how he would improve our results.

“He’s a man who backed himself as a player, none more so than when he turned down contract offers in Scotland to go on trial in the German Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, and it’s obvious he adopts the same approach as a manager."

Former Scotland internationalist Lambert left Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer after leading the side to a 15th-place finish in the Championship.

The ex-Celtic midfielder has also had previous spells with Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Norwich City, Colchester United, Wycombe Wanderers and Livingston.