Stoke City old boy’s surprise return as key role confirmed
Stoke City’s backroom has been reshaped following the arrival of Narcis Pelach as head coac
Dean Whitehead’s return to Stoke City was an initial surprise even to the man who was going to appoint him.
Whitehead was part of the Stoke squad that reached the FA Cup final in 2011 and helped the club establish itself in the Premier League during those years under Tony Pulis. He has gone on to enjoy a coaching career which has taken him from Burslem to Besiktas and Barnsley but he has known Narcis Pelach from Huddersfield, even though their time there didn’t overlap.
Sporting director Jon Walters said: “It was a surprise for me when Narcis mentioned Dean, a nice surprise because I know Dean and his son’s in the academy. I’ve been seeing Dean probably once a month as our paths have crossed with different things, but this was a decision by Narcis rather than myself.
“He wanted to put Dean in his backroom staff and he’s a good coach, he’s shown that for a number of years. The fact he went to work for Besiktas and left his family here shows his commitment to his pathway and it’s good to see a familiar face back. He’s part of success at Stoke City and he’s very happy to be back.”
Sports scientist Joel Dawson is staying with the first team for a key role under Pelach following the departure of Elliot Turner.
Dawson has been with Stoke except for eight months in 2023 where he was lured to Manchester City, who wanted to keep him. He returned to lead sports science in the academy, but has now been drafted by the seniors.
“Joel Dawson, who was in there with Elliot in the department, will be working very closely with Narcis,” said Walters.
“He’s been at the club for a number of years, since I was here as a first team player, and he’s a top, top level practitioner. He went to Man City for a number of months but came back to Stoke and was head of sports science with the academy. Very recently he’s been in with the first team and he will be a big influence on the head coach. That’s how he wants to work.
“I’ve got huge faith in Joel and I think everyone at the football club knows how good he is.”
