Scholes, who previously held the role at Preston North End prior to joining Stoke in 2004, will leave the club in the New Year.

Joint Chairman John Coates said: “Tony and I have enjoyed a close working relationship and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his outstanding contribution to the Club over the past 17 years.

“I am grateful to Tony for the profes­si­onalism, expertise and dedication he has brought to his role. I will be sorry to see him leave but wish him the best for the future on behalf of everyone at Stoke City.”

Joint Chairman Peter Coates added: “Tony has played a critical and enormous part in the development of the Club, both on and off the field, since he joined us in 2004 in what has, arguably, been one of the most successful periods in the Club’s history.

“He leaves with our very best wishes and in the knowledge that he will always be welcome at the bet365 Stadium, along with his family.”

During Scholes’ time at the bet365 Stadium, the Club achieved a 10-year stay in the Premier League, secured Category 1 Academy status and won widespread acclaim for a number of ground-breaking supporter initiatives – including City 7s and free coach travel for supporters to all away league games.

Scholes said: “It has been an incredible privilege to have been the Chief Executive of Stoke City for the past 17 years and I want to thank John and Peter Coates and Richard Smith for the friendship, support and trust they have shown in me over that time.

“Making the decision to leave the Club after a long time has been extremely difficult but I feel the time is right to embrace the new challenge that my role with the Premier League will give me.”