Mark Bowen has expressed his delight at being named Stoke City s assistant manager and insists that he is ready for the challenge.
The former Norwich defender was brought in by new boss Mark Hughes, who took charge following the sacking of Tony Pulis after seven years at the helm.
Bowen has previously worked with his fellow Welshman at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham and QPR.
With Stoke s fixtures being confirmed on Wednesday, the 49-year-old can now ready himself for a difficult start as the club take on Liverpool at Anfield in their opening game, but he insists that he is relishing the opportunity.
First and foremost you want to put your own stamp on things but at the same time, Stoke wants to be a progressive club, he told Sky Sports News.
It s exciting times for myself and Mark and we re very grateful for the opportunity to get back in there and get working.
The first thing Mark will be looking to do is meet the squad and assess them very quickly.
Despite discussing his ambitions for the club, Bowen was also keen to acknowledge the impact of previous manager Pulis.
Pulis established Stoke as a Premier League side after taking them up in 2008, and he also guided them to their first-ever FA Cup final in 2011, where they lost to Manchester City.
Tony Pulis did a magnificent job there and we re well aware we re coming into a situation which is very stable and looks like a very welcoming place to go and ply your trade, he added.
