New Stoke City coach delivers promise as he breaks silence on...

Dean Whitehead plays a significant role in Stoke City’s new backroom group led by Narcis Pelach.

In addition to thanking Barnsley for not obstructing his return to Stoke City, Dean Whitehead assured supporters that the new

coaching staff will “work to our maximum” to restore the squad to success.

Whitehead is an important part of Stoke’s revamped coaching team, which is led by Narcis Pelach, who was hired about three weeks

ago. Although he and Pelach had never worked together before, they were eager to find employment together and had met through

shared ties, notably at Huddersfield Town.

It helps too that Whitehead knows Stoke well, having spent four successful seasons in the Potteries from 2009. He was in the squad

that reached the 2011 FA Cup final and he played in Europe in red and white in 2011/12, scoring in an away win against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

He continued on to play for Middlesbrough and Huddersfield and, since hanging up his boots, has been hard at work honing his

coaching resume. He has worked with Darrell Clarke at Port Vale and Barnsley, Valerien Ismael at Besiktas and Watford, and

Shrewsbury and Cardiff.

He posted on social media following Stoke’s 0-0 draw at Swansea to begin an international break, saying, “It’s been a whirlwind three

weeks.” “I want to express my gratitude to Barnsley for letting me join Stoke City, a team with many wonderful memories for my

family and me. Thrilled to be at this place. We’ll put in our best effort to restore the good days.”

New Stoke City coach delivers promise as he breaks silence on appointment