Sunderland's Walsh replaces Roberts-Smith at Stoke
Paul Walsh worked with Michael O'Neill for Northern Ireland
Written by Simon Austin — August 10, 2020
SUNDERLAND’S Paul Walsh has replaced Jared Roberts-Smith as Head of Sports Science at Stoke City as manager Michael O’Neill completes his backroom staff at the club.
Roberts-Smith moved to Stoke from Luton Town with former manager Nathan Jones in January 2019. However, he stayed on at the club after Jones was sacked in October 2019 - unlike coaches Paul Hart and Joaquin Gomez.
Now O’Neill has brought in Walsh, who he worked with for Northern Ireland, and Roberts-Smith has been released. Walsh had been with Sunderland for more than six years.
In his end-of-season review, O’Neill said: “I think we’ve got a good staff going forward that can get the most of the group of players that we have.”
Andy Cousins is the club’s analyst, Billy McKinlay is assistant, Rory Delap is first-team coach and David Rouse is goalkeeper coach.
