Stoke comfortably stayed up, and after another mid-table finish in 2009–10, Shawcross was handed the captaincy by manager Tony Pulis ahead of the 2010–11 season. With Faye drifting out of the team, Robert Huth became Shawcross's defensive partner and the team reached the 2011 FA Cup Final, finishing runners-up to Manchester City. The run to the final also meant that Stoke entered the UEFA Europa League in 2011–12, and they reached the round of 32 losing to Spanish team Valencia.
Stoke managed to stay awake and finished mid-table in 2009-10. Shawcross was named captain by manager Tony Pulis for the 2010-11 season, succeeding Faye who had dropped out of the lineup. Robert Huth became Shawcross's defensive partner, leading Stoke to the 2011 FA Cup Final where they were runner-ups to Manchester City. This success also secured Stoke a spot in the UEFA Europa League for the 2011-12 season, which saw them reach the round of 32 before losing to Valencia.