Stoke appoint Rory Delap, Kevin Phillips, Callum Davidson and Mark Sale as first-team coaches
Dave Carolan and Joe Carnall also join Potters' backroom staff
Tuesday 26 June 2018 17:12, UK
Rory Delap has returned to Stoke as a first-team coach, linking up once again with current Potters boss Gary Rowett.
Delap has left his role as Derby U21 head coach to make the switch to Stoke where he spent six years as a player and became a fan-favourite, best remembered for his long throws.
The former Ireland midfielder is joined as a first-team coach by Callum Davidson, Mark Sale and former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips. Dave Carolan has also joined Rowett's backroom team as head of performance, with Joe Carnall arriving as the club's new head of tactical insights.
Stoke boss Rowett said: "When I joined the club I highlighted which people would be able to come across with me and who would suit Stoke City and then I also had to think about where I could add a specific skill set to move us forward.
"It was a very easy decision in some ways in bringing Mark, Dave and Joe in straight away. I worked with Kev at Derby and felt he brought a great deal to the strikers and was really, really good at what he did.
"I also felt there was a gap where we wanted to do something a little bit different and that's where Callum comes in. He has been a friend of mine for a long time, since we played together at Leicester, and whenever we speak we talk about football. I spoke to a few people about his coaching ability and felt he would be a really interesting one to bring in and freshen things up.
"Rory will work predominately with the first team but because of his affinity with the club he will dip down to help with the development of the U23s and U18s.
"I think it's a really good balance. All the guys we have brought in are first and foremost very good at their jobs but they are also passionate about bettering themselves."
Stoke, who were relegated last term after 10 years in the Premier League, kick off their Sky Bet Championship campaign at Leeds on August 5, live on Sky Sports Football.
