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 success.
Whitehead is a crucial element of a new looking coaching team at Stoke under the supervision of Narcis Pelach, who was appointed coming up to three weeks ago. Although he and Pelach had not worked together before, they were eager to get employment together and had met through mutual ties, especially at Huddersfield Town.
The fact that Whitehead has four good seasons in the Potteries starting in 2009 and is well-versed in Stoke also helps. He was a member of the team that advanced to the 2011 FA Cup final and participated in the 2011–12 European campaign for Red and White, scoring in a victory away against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
After hanging up his boots, he went on to play for Middlesbrough and Huddersfield and has been busy enhancing his coaching resume. He has worked with Darrell Clarke at Port Vale and Barnsley, Valerien Ismael at Besiktas and Watford, and Shrewsbury and Cardiff.
Before the international break, he posted on social media following Stoke’s 0-0 draw with Swansea, saying, “It’s been a whirlwind three weeks.” “Thank you Barnsley for letting me join Stoke City, a team that has many wonderful memories for my family and myself, and for not getting in the way. I’m happy to be here. We shall endeavor to our fullest to bring the good days back.”
