Long-serving Owen leaves Stoke’s Academy

He had been part of the club’s Academy coaching set-up since joining as a Foundation Phase Coach in 2012 and was himself a product of their youth system – playing 288 senior games for the Potters as well as Oldham Athletic, Stockport County and Port Vale.

In the Technical Director role, he was focusing on the “top end of the Potters’ player pathway” and helping to “link the senior squad with the Academy”.

Stoke’s Sporting Director Jonathan Walters said: “From starting his journey as a coach through to his time as Academy Technical Director, we thank Gareth for his contribution to Stoke City and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Owen was set to leave the club in September 2023 before reversing his decision and staying on as Academy Manager. At the time, he said that after talks with Technical Director Ricky Martin, “our assessment was that for me to stay is in the best interests of the football club”.

Stoke’s Academy was one of the biggest climbers in our 2024/25 Academy Productivity Rankings, which assess English Academies according to the number of graduates who made at least one appearance in the top five English leagues or in another of the ‘Big Five’ European leagues.

They moved up 10 places from their placing the previous season to 37th in the table.

In the summer of 2024, during Owen’s time as Academy Manager, plans were unveiled for work on a £10m to £12m redevelopment of Stoke’s Clayton Wood training ground to include specific facilities for the Academy team.

When the work is completed, they will use the redeveloped pavilion, which will incorporate a new parents’ lounge.