As the transfer window opens, and clubs look to build their squads ahead of the forthcoming campaign, it is not just players making moves.
The managerial ‘silly season’ has been in full flow this year, with the likes of Sunderland still yet to decide on who will be in the infamous dugout. However, it is not just the head coach role that clubs could be looking to fill, with most hierarchies wanting their wider coaching staff also to be strengthened.
One team that has done that today is Stoke City, as they announced the arrival of their first team coach, Chris Cohen. The former Nottingham Forest stalwart joins the Potters from League One side Lincoln City.
After ending his playing career in 2018, the 37-year-old immediately went into Forest’s academy structure, progressing up to become manager of their Under 21s side. Following a successful stint in that role, he joined old friend Nathan Jones to become the assistant manager of Luton Town and subsequently move into the Premier League with Jones when he made the step up to Southampton.
Cohen then joined the Imps in early January this year, after spending a brief time with the club the previous autumn. As soon as he joined to support Michael Skubala, results picked up, as the side went on a 16 game unbeaten run. Although the Lincolnshire outfit were unable to make the play-offs this season, optimism is rife for the next campaign, with a young squad and exciting coaching staff.
Although the role of the first team coach is often multi-faceted, one key strength that the Norwich-born man possesses is his ability to analyse games as they are being played, and turn that analysis into constructive advice for his teams.
With this arrival, Stoke’s dugout now looks more complete, and with signings they have already made, there is a clear ambition to build on recent poor seasons and back into the upper echelons of the second tier.
Writer’s View
This is a huge loss for Lincoln so thus a huge gain for Stoke. Originally described as a coup when he arrived at Sincil Bank, it is no surprise to see him progress up the divisions at a faster rate than the club can.
The Potters are making it clear this window where they want to be heading, and it isn’t into League One. After already bringing in Viktor Johansson and Ben Gibson, Steven Schumacher is clearly trying to build something at The Bet365 stadium.
