Stone replaces Loughlan as first-team coach at Burnley
Stone joined Burnley in November 2018
Written by Simon Austin — July 13, 2021
BURNLEY'S Steve Stone has stepped up from the Under-23s to replace Tony Loughlan as first-team coach at the club.
Loughlan, who has been at Burnley since manager Sean Dyche arrived at the club in October 2012, is leaving to have a second hip operation.
Former England international Stone became U23s boss in November 2018, having worked for hometown club Newcastle United for the previous five years in a variety of Academy and first-team coaching roles.
In October 2019, he “stepped down from club duties” pending an independent investigation into allegations of bullying from one of his players.
The investigation found that Stone had no case to answer and he returned four months later. At the time, Dyche said: “There is no relief, it’s just another situation that has been cleared up and dealt with.”
Michael Jackson, who was Tranmere manager until last October, has stepped in as interim U23s boss. Long-serving coach Andy Farrell will continue as U23s assistant.
Dyche said: “Tony has done a fantastic job here as a key part of the staff but he now feels it’s a good time for him to undergo the further surgery he needs and the extended period of time required to make a full recovery.
“Replacing him with Steve makes perfect sense for everyone. We know Steve really well and we’ve worked closely with him over the past few years anyway.
“He knows what it’s all about at the top level of the game, he knows how we work, is familiar with the players and will make it a smooth transition as we build towards another season in the Premier League.”
Stone, 49, has known Dyche and his assistant Ian Woan, as well as Loughlan, for more than three decades. The quartet came through the youth ranks at Nottingham Forest together and Stone went on to have the most illustrious career of them all.
He was capped nine times by England, as well as being a member of the squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 96.
