He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to continue my coaching career in an elite environment and I am very grateful to Jon [Walters, sporting director], Gareth [Owen, academy technical director] and Paul Harris [head of academy coaching] for the chance to work in a club and academy of huge pedigree.
“Through the experiences of my own playing career, and then having worked closely with the first team staff at Burnley and Salford City, I’m confident that I can share the understanding of the mentality that’s required to play senior football onto our young players.
“It’s a given that we’ll ask the players to give everything for the shirt every day but, equal to that, I want them to enjoy this phase of their careers and have the freedom to express themselves.”
Stoke are also in the process of appointing a new academy manager after Owen’s shift of roles earlier this year.
Owen said: “Dean stood out in a thorough recruitment process and displayed the humility and values which, coupled with his elite playing career, will stand him in good stead to lead our young players
“Dean brings varied experiences from other environments and we are looking forward to seeing the impact he can have on the development of players and fellow staff in our academy.”
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