 He was replaced by another Welsh manager , Mark Hughes . Hughes led Stoke to a ninth @-@ place finish in 2013 – 14 , their highest position in the Premier League and best finish since 1974 – 75 . Stoke again finished in ninth position in 2014 – 15 , which ended with a 6 – 1 victory against Liverpool . Despite breaking their transfer record twice ( on <unk> <unk> and then Giannelli <unk> ) , in 2015 – 16 , Stoke did not make any progression and finished in ninth position for a third season running . 
