The 2022–23 season was Stoke City's 106th season in the Football League, the 46th in the second tier and ninth in the Championship.
In the summer of 2022, Stoke, restricted by Financial Fair Play brought in free transfers and loans. After a poor start one win in the opening five matches Michael O'Neill was sacked by the board and replaced by Sunderland manager Alex Neil. After beating Preston North End on 15 October, Stoke went on a run of three wins in 15 which saw them in danger of being involved in a relegation fight. High scoring victories over Blackburn Rovers, Coventry, Huddersfield Town, Reading, Sunderland and Swansea City pulled Stoke clear of trouble and into mid-table. Stoke's home form during the season was one the worst in the league with 12 defeats, 10 of which were by a single goal margin.
Pre-season and friendlies
In February 2022 Stoke announced a five-year multi-million pound refurbishment programme for the bet365 Stadium and the Clayton Wood Training Ground beginning in the summer of 2022 with the replacement of 8,400 seats in the Franklyn Stand and regeneration of The Players' Lounge and Delilah’s Bar. Leaving the club in the transfer window were Benik Afobe, Joe Allen, James Chester, Alfie Doughty, Steven Fletcher, Tom Ince, Christian Norton, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Tommy Smith and Mario Vrančić. Whilst coming into the team were Harry Clarke, Aden Flint, Dwight Gayle, Gavin Kilkenny, Josh Laurent, Liam McCarron and Will Smallbone.
The squad returned to Clayton Wood for pre-season training on 20 June and played a behind closed doors match against Leeds United on 2 July, they then spent a week at a training camp in Cork, Ireland. On 9 July Stoke beat League of Ireland First Division side Cork City 2–0 at Turners Cross. City then faced three League One teams, losing 2–0 to Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers whilst drawing 1–1 with Fleetwood Town. Stoke ended an unimpressive pre-season with a 2–1 defeat at Heart of Midlothian.
Championship
July & August
Stoke lost their opening game 2–0 away at Millwall with both of the Lions' goals coming from unmarked Charlie Cresswell headers. The first home game of the season was won 2–0 against Blackpool with goals from Harry Clarke and Jacob Brown. After exiting the EFL Cup City suffered a 3–1 defeat at Huddersfield Town with Lewis Baker missing a first half penalty. City were second-best against Middlesbrough and looked to be heading for a 2–1 defeat before a late header from D'Margio Wright-Phillips earned Stoke a fortunate 2–2 draw. Stoke's poor start to the season continued as they lost 1–0 at home to newly promoted Sunderland on 20 August. O'Neill was then sacked by the club four days later. The next day Stoke were given permission by Sunderland to speak to Alex Neil. Dean Holden took caretaker charge of the match against Blackburn Rovers as a long range goal from Baker earned Stoke their first away win of the season. On 28 August Alex Neil was appointed manager on a three-year contract. Neil's first match in charge was at home against Swansea City. Swansea took and early lead through Joël Piroe and after wasteful finishing Stoke finally equalised in stoppage time through Tyrese Campbell.
September
On transfer deadline day Stoke brought in right-back Dujon Sterling on a season-long loan from Chelsea. Stoke lost 2–1 at Reading with both the Royals goals coming from defensive errors. After the match Neil was critical of his sides lack of fitness. The team responded with a comfortable 3–0 victory at Hull City with a brace from Baker. They ended September with a goalless draw away at Queens Park Rangers.
October
After the international break Stoke were out-played by Watford, losing 4–0, their heaviest home defeat for five years. Three-days later a late header from Harry Clarke earned Stoke a 1–1 draw away at Burnley. Stoke then beat the early league leaders, Sheffield United 3–1 with goals from Wilmot, Phil Jagielka and a first professional league goal from Liam Delap. City put in a commanding away performance at Preston North End, winning 2–0 with goals from Campbell and Will Smallbone. They then lost 1–0 at home against Rotherham United despite having 29 shots at goal. Stoke lost to Coventry in a similar manner, controlling possession but failing to create any meaningful chances and were hit twice on the counter-attack. They ended October with a third straight defeat, going down 3–1 at Norwich.