Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has said that the club "achieved so much" during Tony Pulis's time as manager.

The club confirmed on Tuesday that they and Pulis had "mutually agreed" to end the 55-year-old's reign.

Coates has praised the impact that the manager had during his stay at the Britannia Stadium.

In a statement on the club's website, he said: "Tony rejoined the club as manager in June 2006 when we were in the Championship. Since then we have achieved so much including promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.

"Other great highlights were a first FA Cup Final along with our European adventure which ended on a memorable night in Valencia.

"The last seven years have been some of the best in our long history and I would like to thank Tony for his huge contribution in this. I personally regard him as a great friend and will hugely miss working with him.

"We will now begin the difficult task of searching for a successor to Tony. This will be done in private and the Club will make no further statement in respect of this search until an appointment is made."

Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez and former Everton player Phil Neville have been linked with the job.