Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has said that the future of manager Tony Pulis is under a cloud of doubt. Stoke City have been able to sustain their Premier league status despite being on a relatively low-budget due to the shrewd tactics of Pulis.

However, he has come under intense criticism from the fans of light due to the poor performances of the team, which has lifted them extremely close to the relegation zone. Even though it would take a lots of results to go against them, the fact that Stoke are still close to the relegation zone despite spending a lot of money recently is a source of concern.

Stoke have been one of the highest spenders in the Premier league over the last few transfer windows, as they have brought in the likes of Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones. The club will be entering into the sixth successive Premier league campaign next season if they manage to avoid relegation now. Yet, the return of just five points from a possible 42 has left Pulis in danger of losing his job. Chairman Peter Coates, though, has suggested on several occasions (including to the soccer seo site) that he remains fully supportive of the manager.

Stoke have managed just one win in the league since the turn of the year.

“We have had a very flat second half to the season and nobody is trying to hide that. You are always trying to learn from such things to try and improve. I know it is not mathematically guaranteed, but we are obviously delighted to be in the position we are in after two good wins. I was very anxious and very nervous. We deserved to win both games and it was a great relief because we haven’t been in that position for a long time, but that’s football and this is a tough league,” said Coates.