Stoke City

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Stoke City's new Assistant Head Coach, Chris Cohen, says he can't wait to start working with Steven Schumacher.

It's not a new relationship that Cohen and Schumacher will have to forge as the pair did their Pro Licence together when coming through the coaching pathway.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Cohen explained what he'll be bringing to the role:

"I like to focus on working with the individual, when I was a player I felt like my career, a lot of the time, was spent focusing on Saturday's result and not on development.

"Since I have moved into first teams over the last six years I've focused a lot of my time on individual and unit development, that then goes into full team practice."

Cohen will get to work with the squad when they return for pre-season training at the beginning of July and he says raring to go:

"I've watched a lot of their games and they had a fantastic end to the season, they've got some really good players here."

Cohen has previously worked alongside former Potters manager Nathan Jones. The Welshman was sacked after just nine months in charge at the bet365 Stadium, having won just six times in 38 games. However Cohen says Jones was full of praise for the football club:

"The relationship isn't what he [Jones] had hoped it would've been, but he only speaks very highly of the club, really highly of the fans and the owners.

"I spoke to him about coming in and he said you will absolutely love it there, there's so many good people."

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Stoke City First Team Coach Paul Gallagher has left his role with the club.

Gallagher, who had two loan spells with the Potters as a player joined the club's coaching staff last summer, and took charge as caretaker manager after the sacking of Alex Neil.

Stoke City Sporting Director Jonathan 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.”

Image source, Stoke City

Ben Gibson has become Steven Schumacher's second signing of the summer after the defender's four year spell at Norwich City came to an end.

The 31-year-old who started his career at Middlesbrough has made more than 60 Premier League appearances and won two Championship promotions.

Gibson has been capped by England at Under-17, Under-18, Under-20 and Under-21 levels. In 2017 he was called-up to the senior squad by Gareth Southgate.

Sporting Director Jonathan Walters told the club's official site: “Successful teams need leaders, strong characters and experience and Ben gives us all three qualities in abundance.

“Beyond his contributions on the pitch, he sets high standards of himself and others, both on the training ground and off the pitch.

“Having won promotion from the second tier on several occasions during his career, Ben is well versed in knowing what it takes to be successful at this level."

On signing for the club, Gibson added: “Stoke City is a fantastic club, with lots of history, huge stature and I am looking forward to getting to work.

“I have played here, the atmosphere is fantastic and the fanbase speaks for itself.

“I want to be part of a team that brings the good times back to Stoke."

What do you think about this signing? Let us know here.

Image source, Getty

When you think about Stoke City’s history, Lou Macari is a name that stands out. As a manager, Macari's influence on the club has been significant.

Lou started his football career in Scotland with Celtic, quickly making a name for himself as a talented midfielder. He caught the eye of Manchester United, and in 1973 he made the move to Old Trafford.

But it was his time as a manager a Stoke City that made him a club legend amongst the Potters faithful.

When Macari took over as Stoke City’s manager in 1991, the club was struggling in the lower leagues. His arrival brought a sense of hope and determination. Macari's approach was straightforward but effective: focus on hard work, discipline, and spotting potential talent. He quickly began to turn things around at the Victoria Ground.

In his first season, Macari led Stoke to the Third Division play-offs, narrowly missing out on promotion but did guide the team to Wembley where they won the Autoglass Trophy final against Stockport County.

The 1992-93 season is one that Stoke City fans will never forget. Under Macari's leadership, the team won the Second Division title going on a 25 game unbeaten run and earning promotion to the First Division [Championship].

Macari’s impact reached beyond the pitch, he built a strong team spirit and a sense of unity that everyone bought into, it contributed to Macari becoming one of the most popular Stoke City managers.

In recent years, Lou has been a key figure in the Stoke-on-Trent community. He founded the Macari Centre in Stoke-on-Trent, which provides shelter and support for the homeless.