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Stoke City Football Club has confirmed the departure of Gareth Owen, the academy technical director, marking a significant change within the club's structural hierarchy. With his robust connection to the Potters, having initiated his youth and professional career at the club, Owen’s departure ends a notable era of developmental prowess at Stoke.
Starting his journey at Stoke and after enjoying periods at Stockport County and Port Vale, Owen returned to the Potters in the capacity of a coach post his retirement in 2013. He climbed up the ranks, overseeing the academy since 2019, and expanded his responsibilities this year to bridge the gap between the academy and the first team, while also contributing to the leadership across the men’s and women’s teams. His role was crucial in nurturing young talents like strikers Nathan Lowe and Emre Tezgel, and Italy youth defender Laurence Giani.
Sporting director, Jonathan Walkers, lauded Owen’s contributions in a heartfelt statement, expressing gratitude for his dedication and imparting best wishes for his future endeavors.
Owen's tenure at Stoke has been foundational. The focus on the "top end" of the player pathway under his guidance ensured a smoother transition for our young Potters stepping up to senior levels. His strategies in honing young talents have been instrumental, potentially keeping Stoke City well-stocked with homegrown talents that could lead us back to our glory days.
The search for a successor is presumably underway, with an aim to continue the legacy and perhaps inject new ideas into the academy. It's pivotal for Stoke City's long-term success on and off the pitch, especially as we eye those top spots in the Championship and beyond.
Now, speaking of departures, how many Port Vale fans does it take to realize their team’s going nowhere? Just one—the last one left to turn off the lights after our next derby win!
