Former Ipswich Town forward Jon Walters has been appointed interim technical director at Championship strugglers Stoke City. 

The Potters have sacked Ricky Martin after 15 months in the job at the Bet365 Stadium.

They are 19th in the Championship, three points above the relegation zone, having made 25 signings since the end of last season. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Jon Walters is a Stoke City hero.Jon Walters is a Stoke City hero. (Image: PA)

Walters, who scored 62 goals in 269 appearances for the Potters between 2010 and 2017, has taken over today until further notice.

Chairman John Coates said: “With results on the field having fallen significantly short of our ambitions during the current season to date, we believe it is essential to take-on a new direction. We will run a full and robust recruitment process with immediate effect.

“Jonathan is ideally suited to the interim role and I’m thankful to him for stepping in to support Stoke City, a club I know is close to his heart, at this time.”

Walters joined Ipswich in a £100k deal from Chester in January 2007 having impressed against the club in the FA Cup.

He went on to score 32 goals in 146 appearances under the management of Jim Magilton and Roy Keane before moving to Stoke for £2.75m.

Walters returned to Ipswich for a second spell in 2018 when signing on loan from Burnley under the management of Paul Hurst. He made just three appearances though, suffering what proved to be a career ending Achilles injury in a home game against Bolton.

The 40-year-old has previously been technical director at Fleetwood Town and their Irish sister club Waterford FC.