Former Manchester United striker Mark Robins has been appointed as Stoke City's new manager. Robins has made a swift return to the dugout after his controversial sacking by Coventry City in November.

Signing a three-and-a-half year contract with the Potters, Robins will be in charge of his first game on Saturday against fellow relegation battlers Plymouth Argyle. Stoke are 18th in the Championship after 24 games and sit just four points from the relegation places having already sacked Steven Schumacher and Narcis Pelach this season.

Ashton-under-Lyne native Robins, who made 48 appearances for United and is widely credited with saving Sir Alex Ferguson's job in 1990 after scoring the winner in an FA Cup game, has carved out a career as a highly-capable manager. He took Coventry to the FA Cup semi-final last year, dealing United an almighty fright after coming from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 before losing on penalties.

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The season before, he missed out on Premier League promotion with the Sky Blues losing the Championship play-off final to Luton Town in a penalty shoot-out. Now, he is tasked with reviving a Stoke side that have been perennial underachievers since relegation from the Premier League in 2018.

"With the proven track record Mark brings to the role, I believe this is a genuinely exciting moment for Stoke City," Stoke chair John Coates said in a statement. "The recent win over Sunderland, with the way the team competed on the field and connected with the fans, gave everyone a huge boost and provided a glimpse of what can be created at our club.

"Ryan Shawcross has the sincere thanks of us all for the diligent and inspiring way he has taken to being in caretaker charge. "We all remain right behind him for this afternoon’s match against Burnley and look forward to his sterling work within our Academy continuing once Mark takes the first team reins."