Steven Schumacher’s time in charge of Stoke began with a point as they were held at home to a goalless draw by Millwall.
The 39-year-old had ended a four-year association with Plymouth to make the move to the Potters on Tuesday.
And his opening match was promising albeit also frustrating as Stoke failed to make their dominance count.
Stoke are now winless in nine games dating back to October, with only one goal scored at home in their last five outings.
Meanwhile, Millwall’s dismal run under new manager Joe Edwards continued as they fell to a sixth straight game without victory.
After penning a three-and-a-half year contract in the Potteries, the incoming Schumacher was given a rapturous reception by the locals.
Stoke, who had secured only nine victories in 30 home league games under the outgoing Alex Neil, have tasked their new boss with improving that record.
Despite a slow start to proceedings, the hosts gradually grew into the fixture against Millwall as they grew in confidence.
The first effort was produced by Ki-Jana Hoever, who fired over the target following intricate play.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, Stoke had their first shot on target with Ryan Mmaee threatening an opener.
The forward advanced with purpose and his powerful strike forced a smart save from former Potter Matija Sarkic, who spent last season on loan at the club.
Millwall had scored only three first-half goals in Edwards’ first six games in charge and the visitors continued to struggle in front of goal.
Jake Cooper’s weak header in stoppage time proved to be the Lions’ solitary effort on goal in a tame opening period.
Schumacher’s half-time instructions prompted a response from his new side as Stoke took control of the match after the restart.
The attack-minded Hoever again found himself in a promising position early in the second period, but his drilled strike was saved by Sarkic.
With Millwall entrenched in their own box, the home outfit continued to pile on the pressure and a deflected Andre Vidigal strike nearly trickled in.
The lively Mmaee had the best chance to break the deadlock when he found a yard of space, but a heroic Wes Harding block ensured the scores remained level.
Despite their second-half authority, Stoke’s efforts ultimately proved to be in vain as Schumacher failed to mark his arrival with victory.
Millwall nearly struck an unlikely winner as they registered their first shot on target with the last kick of the game, but Aidomo Emakhu was thwarted by Jack Bonham.
The Lions’ woes continue, with Edwards’ only win coming in his first game in charge back on November 11.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town: Tigers fight back three times to deny Tractor Boys
Ipswich Town missed the chance to move into an automatic promotion spot as play-off-chasing Hull City came from behind three times in a thrilling 3-3 Championship draw at The MKM Stadium.
Ipswich knew a victory would take them second after Leeds United were surprisingly beaten 4-0 by Queens Park Rangers on Friday, and they led on three separate occasions, George Hirst opening the scoring before Omari Hutchinson produced two brilliant strikes from the edge of the area.
However, buoyed by slip-ups from rivals Norwich City and West Brom earlier on Saturday, Hull dug deep to fight back on each occasion, Ozan Tufan and Liam Delap scoring their first two equalisers.
With Liam Rosenior's men 3-2 down with just four minutes to play, substitute Noah Ohio blasted his shot in off the crossbar to punish an error from Ipswich goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky.
The result keeps Ipswich behind second-placed Leeds on goal difference, though the Tractor Boys have a game in hand to come at Coventry City on Tuesday.
Hull, meanwhile, are two points adrift of the top six, with Norwich's goal difference advantage meaning their top-six spot is all but assured. The Tigers will, however, leapfrog West Brom if they beat Plymouth Argyle on the final day and Albion lose to Preston North End.
Data Debrief: Hutchinson's best not enough
Hutchinson was a man who deserved to be on the winning side on Saturday, giving Ryan Allsop no chance with two near-identical left-footed strikes from the right corner of the penalty area.
His goals came from an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.6, and he led all players on the pitch for shots (eight) and passes in the final third (21), also laying on three chances for his team-mates.
Al-Khaleej 0-1 Al-Nassr: Ronaldo misfires on return as Laporte nets winner
Cristiano Ronaldo returned from suspension but failed to find the net as Al-Nassr secured a 1-0 win over Al-Khaleej on Saturday, with Aymeric Laporte coming up with the decisive goal.
Ronaldo was in action for the first time since being sent off for an elbow in a 2-1 Saudi Super Cup loss to Al-Hilal earlier this month, with his initial two-match ban being reduced to one on appeal.
He missed three good chances as Al-Nassr threatened to fall further behind runaway Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, but former Manchester City defender Laporte spared his blushes by nodding Marcelo Brozovic's deep free-kick into the bottom-left corner with 68 minutes gone.
Al-Nassr remain nine points adrift of Al-Hilal at the summit in spite of their win, with Jorge Jesus' team unbeaten through 28 games this season as they close in on a record-extending 18th title.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo misfires on return
Ronaldo was presented with the Saudi Pro League's Player of the Month award for March ahead of kick-off, having scored four goals in three league appearances last month.
However, his sights were off on Saturday as he failed to net despite three of the visitors' four big chances, as defined by Opta, falling his way. He led all players on the pitch for expected goals (1.27 xG), shots (five), shots on target (three) and touches in the area (nine) without reward.
Huddersfield all but relegated from Championship while League Two play-off spots decided
Huddersfield Town saw their relegation from the Championship all but confirmed after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Terriers avoided a defeat that would have seen them relegated on Saturday, but even a win on the final day over promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town will not be enough unless they overcome a huge goal difference of 15 goals with Plymouth Argyle.
Birmingham remain in the other relegation place and now must beat Norwich City to stand a chance of staying up with Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Blackburn Rovers also still in danger.
At the other end of the table, the Canaries dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City, leaving the door open for Hull City, who face Ipswich Town later today.
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