Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has insisted that he feels no bitterness over being sacked by Manchester City as his current side prepare to take on his former employers this weekend.
Hughes, who was hired just three months before the club was taken over by the Abu Dhabi investment group in September 2008, was dismissed by City in December 2009 after 18 months in charge and replaced by Roberto Mancini.
Since the Welshman's exit the club have gone on to win two Premier League titles and an FA Cup and secure a regular spot in the Champions League, but Hughes insists that he knew he was always likely to be replaced after the takeover.
"I have no bitterness towards City," he told Sky Sports News. "I was not really [the new owners'] guy. I was appointed by another group of people so when that group changed, if I am honest, it was only a matter of time before I got replaced. Looking back, I probably lasted as long as I could.
"There was a desire and will from the owners to really try to move it on very, very quickly - probably more quickly than I thought initially. It does not surprise me, the amount of finance has been thrown at it.
"They have ability now because they are viewed as a world club, whereas previously, when I was there, it was a mid-table Premier League club if we are honest. The change that has taken place is unprecedented. It is a completely different club from when I was there."
Stoke host City in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff looking for a first home victory against the former champions since 2009.
Tom Nightingale
