Former Stoke boss Mark Hughes has backed the Potters to win their Premier League survival bid after he was sacked.
The 54-year-old was dismissed on Saturday after their shock 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Coventry with Stoke also in the relegation zone.
Hughes had been on the brink following the 1-0 New Year's Day defeat to Newcastle with the club's board considering his future ahead of the trip to the Sky Blues, which was his 200th game in charge.
![Mark Hughes has wished Stoke well in a statement after being sacked by the club on Saturday](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/09/11/47D3E32E00000578-0-image-m-76_1515496482244.jpg)
![Saido Berahino and team-mates look dejected after being beaten by Coventry in the FA Cup](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/09/11/47D1142700000578-0-image-a-89_1515496653263.jpg)
In a statement via the League Managers Association Hughes said: 'I wish to thank the Coates family and the board, for all of their support during my four-and-a-half memorable years at Stoke City.