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.”

Alex Morris is staying with the first team too, while Ryan Shawcross, having been caretaker manager last Tuesday, returns to lead the under-21s.

Walters said: “Alex is firmly part of Narcis’s plans. Ryan has gone back to take the 21s, he’s got his own learning journey leading the team. It’s really important for him that he does that as well. He knows where he wants to get to. He really enjoyed coming in and having that role for the Fleetwood game, got us through to the next round of the cup and now goes back to the 21s but closely aligned with the first team. He will be involved in seeing the players come through and he’s got a great relationship with Alex.

“Like Joel, there are some really good people in the building, not just the people who’ve come in. There are some really special people in the building as it stands.”