Changing Stoke's style is a tough job but Mark Hughes has done it, says Garry Monk

Stoke were known for their combative style as they established themselves in the Premier League

Hughes has brought finesse to the club since taking over in the summer of 2013 (GETTY IMAGES)

The Swansea City manager, Garry Monk, believes his former Southampton team-mate Mark Hughes has pulled off one of the toughest jobs in management in changing Stoke City’s playing style.

Under Hughes’s predecessor Tony Pulis, Stoke were known for their combative style as they established themselves in the Premier League. But Hughes has brought more finesse to the club since taking over in the summer of 2013.

And ahead of the Potters’ visit to the Liberty Stadium tonight, Monk said: “That change is probably the hardest thing you can do in management.

“It takes a lot of work, detail and willingness from yourself, the staff and the players. You also need trust from above and the chairman, board and directors buying into what you’re doing and giving you the licence to recruit the players you want.

“You need all that to change vision and it takes time, but they’ve done that exceptionally well at Stoke.”

Hughes, meanwhile, is confident that goalkeeper Jack Butland will remain at the Britannia Stadium long-term while continuing to progress at international level.

The 22-year-old has put in a string of impressive performances and won his second senior England cap earlier this week and Hughes said: “We all feel he has a long, long career ahead of him – both with us and England.”