Stoke City boss Mark Hughes admits his time with QPR hurt his reputation.

Having been sacked by Queens Park Rangers early in the 2012-13 campaign, the ex-Manchester City, Blackburn and Fulham coach suddenly found himself unemployable.

Ahead of today's trip to Arsenal, the ex-Wales and Man United hitman said: "My reputation was damaged at QPR and I will be forever grateful to the Coates family for giving me the opportunity to come here.

"A lot of clubs were changing their managers in that period but none of them considered me. After QPR, I never applied for any job but never had an approach.

"When Stoke made their decision to change the manager here, which was a big decision for them, they went for me. I am extremely thankful to them."