Potty Potters need to focus on stability
ACCORDING to Jon Walters, Stoke City have a clear vision of what is required to achieve success. Really? Because it looks like a total shambles.
Consider the ‘vision’ thus far. Since dropping out of the Premier League in 2018, Stoke’s dugout has been occupied by a seasoned Championship veteran in Gary Rowett, a brace of promotion winners in Alex Neil and Nathan Jones, a proven international manager in Michael O’Neill and – until this week – an exciting up-and-comer in the shape of Steven Schumacher.
Decision explained as Stoke City go forward with two goalkeeper coaches
Darren Behcet was brought to Stoke City by Steven Schumacher but has been asked to stay
Darren Behcet is staying to work at Stoke City despite the sweeping changes in the coaching set-up as Jon Walters explains his importance to the first team and beyond.
Behcet was brought to Stoke from Plymouth last December along with Steven Schumacher, assistant head coach Mark Hughes, first team coach Peter Cavanagh and fitness coach Elliot Turner.
But he has been asked to stay when the others left on Monday, making space for new head coach Narcis Pelach and a new backroom team including coach Dean Whitehead and fellow goalkeeper coach Paul Clements.
READ MORE: Not many players in Championship like Stoke City summer signing says old boy
READ MORE: Narcis Pelach summons players to address haunting Stoke City problem
If it is new for Stoke to have two keeper coaches, sporting director Walters believes both will prove to be valuable as they cover the goalkeeping side of the club from top to bottom, including recruitment and in the academy. Behcet was heavily involved in the scouting of Viktor Johansson, for instance.
Walters said: “I see someone in Darren as a huge asset to the football club. I think for the first few days of meeting him and getting to know his ambitions that we’ve got a class operator. I said to Narcis that, for me, he’s part of the football club.
