Sources: Stoke City win race to land former Manchester United hero
Is Mark Robins the man to get Stoke City back to the Premier League?
Championship Stoke City have agreed a deal with Mark Robins to become their new manager, TBR Football understands.
TBR Football exclusively revealed last week that Robins was ready to get back into management following his departure from Coventry City in November.
Stoke were looking for a new boss following their decision to axe Spaniard Narcis Pelach after just three months in charge.
Mark Robins agrees to return to management with Potters
TBR Football can now reveal that Robins has agreed to take charge at The Bet365 Stadium following talks with the club’s hierarchy.
We understand that West Bromwich Albion, also in need of a new manager, were also keen on Robins – but he has instead opted to join Stoke.
Robins arrives at Stoke with the club in 18th, just four points off the relegation places.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 14 |  PrestonPreston | 24 | 6 | 11 | 7 | 26 | 30 | -4 | 29 |
| 15 |  CoventryCoventry | 24 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 32 | 34 | -2 | 28 |
| 16 |  DerbyDerby | 24 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 29 | 30 | -1 | 27 |
| 17 |  QPRQPR | 24 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 24 | 32 | -8 | 26 |
| 18 |  Stoke CityStoke City | 24 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 24 | 32 | -8 | 25 |
| 19 |  LutonLuton | 24 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 26 | 41 | -15 | 25 |
| 20 |  Oxford UnitedOxford United | 23 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 26 | 39 | -13 | 24 |
| 21 |  Hull CityHull City | 24 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 22 | 32 | -10 | 22 |
| 22 |  CardiffCardiff | 23 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 23 | 38 | -15 | 21 |
Robins will take charge against Plymouth
Stoke are due to face Burnley on New Year’s Day, but Robins will not be in charge for the game with current interim Ryan Shawcross set to take the team before returning to his role as Under-21 boss.
Shawcross took charge against Sunderland at the weekend and guided them to a 1-0 win over The Black Cats.
Shawcross has backed the next boss to get things heading in the right direction, saying after the win: “If someone gets it right and mould it to what they want to do with a real identity to it that fits in with Stoke need, we can then can start going forward as a club.”
Robins’s first match will come on January 4th when they play host to Plymouth Argyle – who are also looking for a new manager, following the departure of Wayne Rooney on New Year’s eve.
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