Stoke City exit confirmed in close season backroom change

Paul Gallagher on the sidelines as Stoke City caretaker manager.
-Credit: (Image: Phil Oldham/REX/Shutterstock)


First team coach Paul Gallagher is leaving Stoke City after a season back at the club.

Gallagher was brought back to Stoke last summer from Preston by then-manager Alex Neil. He had enjoyed two loan spells as a player and had been given his first taste of coaching by Neil at Deepdale.

He took over as caretaker manager following Neil's exit in December and oversaw important draws against Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion before the appointment of Steven Schumacher. Schumacher praised Gallagher for his help and input, particularly in the first couple of weeks after he had been parachuted into the club.

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Gallagher's exit creates a vacancy in the first team coaching set-up and work is understood to be continuing regards recruitment.

Sporting director Jon Walters said: “I wish to place on record the club’s thanks to Paul for his work and dedication as part of our first team staff, and during his interim period in charge, last season.

“Having returned to Stoke City as a coach after previously enjoying success here as a player, Paul will rightly always receive a warm welcome from supporters when he returns to the bet365 Stadium in the future. Everyone connected with the club wishes him all the very best.”

Schumacher has Mark Hughes as his assistant head coach while Peter Cavanagh is first team coach, Darren Behcet is goalkeeper coach and Alex Morris had come over from the under-21s to take on a senior role in the last couple of months of the season.

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