[BFC SITE] DEAN WHITEHEAD JOINS REDS COACHING STAFF

Dean Whitehead has joined Barnsley FC, completing Darrell Clarke’s coaching staff ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Former Premier League midfielder Whitehead worked with our Head Coach at Port Vale during their successful 2021/22 promotion season following a spell as assistant manager at Shrewsbury Town.

Following Shrewsbury, Whitehead headed to Turkey to coach Beșiktas where his paths crossed with former Tykes Head Coach Valérien Ismaël. In November 2022 the former Sunderland man joined Cardiff City, becoming the Bluebirds caretaker manager in January 2023. Last season Dean once again linked up with Valérien, this time as assistant manager at Watford.

Dean Whitehead said, “Having spoken to Darrell earlier in the summer, I was really excited by the challenge of joining a club like Barnsley.

“Working with Darrell previously, I know he works and I was attracted by how the club works and the people already here.”\\

Darrell Clarke added, “Really pleased to be able to bring in Dean. He is somebody I have worked with in the past who is a well-respected figure and works brilliantly with the lads on the training pitch.

“After evaluating the balance of my coaching staff, Dean will provide knowledgeable insight to an already skilled backroom team.

“With Dean’s experience in the game, I feel we have a good balance within the coaching staff, and I would like to thank Mladen and the board for their support in making this happen.”

Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz said, “We welcome Dean to Oakwell, he has experienced so much as a player and a coach, and he is someone Darrell and I have enjoyed working with in the past.

“His role here will be to work with the players on their out of possession play as well as set-pieces, whilst Jon Stead will focus on everything in possession, we had a good attacking record last year and we want that to continue this season.

“Conor Hourihane will be tasked with developing players on individual skills, James Bittner will look after the keepers and Martin Devaney is Darrell’s number two. Dean’s appointment completes the restructure of the Men’s first team coaching staff, and we feel this puts us in a strong position for the season.”

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arrrr many wi got on bloody coaching team nar?!

 

Too many chiefs not enough Indians.

 

Washing powder budget scrapped to cover coaching staff costs

 

Great to have experienced knowledge to call upon on the training ground and in the changing room it’s a win win for me.

 

When I started, I think there was Alan Clarke, Eric W, physio and 1x sub in the dugout.
Now there is DC, 4x specialist coaches, 2x physio, media dude and about 10 subs in there.
It's no wonder the official ground capacity has reduced.

 

Was all over X yesterday been at training camp since Monday apparently, suppose two days late is as good as it gets re comms from the club.

 

Stead doesn't get a mention again. Newsbot out.

 

Yes he does

 

Must be loaded to have such bloated coaching staff.

 

BFC coaches and possession:

Stead - in
Whitehead - out
Clarke - shakes it all about
Plus a Disco

I hope the entrance fee is going to be worth it.

 

SiGn A sTrIkEr

More coaches than carveries

 

One of chiefs is Indian

 

I don't get the negativity on here.

We have a lot of young lads with potential that are not quite hitting the first team. Investing in coaches makes sense to me. Cash is tight, but we have a decent spine to the squad. I expect us to sell at least 2 players for money & maybe sign or loan two more, but that will be about it, other than squad signings.

 

Double decker bench incoming

 

Good addition. Head a playing career at the highest level and now becoming a highly respected coach so thos can only be a positive.

 

How can you forget Norman, he did 10 other jobs.

 

Well said

 

The thing I took from that was in DC thanking them for bringing him in it showed they are backing Clarke