Stoke went into the 2013–14 season under new manager Mark Hughes following the departure of Tony Pulis at the end of last season. Hughes stated his intent to change the teams' style of play to a more possession based game but a lack of transfer activity before the season started saw Stoke installed as one of the bookies favourites for relegation. Stoke began well narrowly losing to Liverpool and then beating Crystal Palace and West Ham but the club failed to address their goalscoring problem in the transfer market with winger Marko Arnautović the only forward signed during the summer.

This proved problematic for Stoke as they went through September and October without a win, picking up just two points and scoring only three goals. Stoke improved in November and December going a run of one defeat in seven games which included a 3–2 win over Chelsea although they did end 2013 with heavy defeats at Newcastle and Tottenham. Stoke had a poor January picking up just one point and defeat at Sunderland left the side on the edge of the relegation places. However the arrival of Peter Odemwingie from Cardiff City in a swap deal with Kenwyne Jones saw Hughes able to change his formation and tactics which instantly paid off with a 2–1 victory over Manchester United on 1 February. Stoke's form and performances improved thereafter and they went through March unbeaten with four victories. Stoke maintained their form until the end of the season where they finished in 9th position with 50 points their best finish since the 1974–75 season.

Stoke ended the 2012–13 season in 13th position with 42 points in what was a season of little excitement or progress and led to the departure of manager Tony Pulis. Another Welshman, Mark Hughes emerged as the boards favoured candidate to take over the job. News of his potential arrival was met with a largely negative reaction from the supporters who see Hughes as an underwhelming choice mainly due to his poor spell in charge of Queens Park Rangers. Hughes was appointed Stoke manager on 30 May 2013 signing a three-year contract. Hughes's first task was to release Rory Delap, Mamady Sidibe, Matthew Upson, Dean Whitehead, Carlo Nash and Matthew Lund whilst he gave Jermaine Pennant a new contract. He made his first signing on 28 June 2013 with Dutch international left-back Erik Pieters arriving from PSV Eindhoven for a fee of €3.6 million (£3 million). This was followed by Spanish defender Marc Muniesa on a free transfer from Barcelona.

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