Chris Cohen has been diligently preparing for his new role at Stoke City by reviewing a dozen matches from last season and requesting clips and data from analysts. This proactive approach is aimed at ensuring he hits the ground running when the players return for pre-season training in just over a week.
Cohen has recently joined Clayton Wood as the assistant head coach, a position offered by Jon Walters. He reunites with Steven Schumacher, with whom he spent two years studying for the pro licence coaching badge. Prior to this, Cohen spent six months as assistant head coach at Lincoln City, contributing to a turnaround that saw them push for a spot in the League One play-offs. Now at Stoke, he is utilizing the off-season to meticulously plan for the upcoming challenges.
“We’re fortunate to have tools like WyScout and match clips,” Cohen remarked. “I’ve reviewed the last 10 to 12 games from last season, which gives me a solid understanding of the team. Our data analysts provide me with tailored information about each player, allowing me to have detailed discussions with them about their performance and areas for improvement. This preparation time is invaluable, as it lets me be fully ready to support the players alongside our excellent coaching staff.”
Cohen is joining a robust coaching team that includes fellow assistant head coach Mark Hughes, Peter Cavanagh, and Alex Morris, who recently transitioned from the under-21s to focus on the first team. The team also features goalkeeper coach Darren Behcet, who has a long-standing connection with Cohen dating back to their primary school days at West Ham’s academy.
The club has seen significant changes both on and off the pitch over the past six or seven years, but there is optimism that the current system will bring stability and success. Cohen finds the situation exciting, noting the strong support from the club’s owners and the involvement of Jonathan Walters, a club legend committed to its best interests. He acknowledges the balance between achieving short-term victories and pursuing a long-term vision for the club’s success.
Reflecting on his close friend Nathan Jones, a former Stoke manager, Cohen shared that despite the challenges Jones faced, he held the club, its fans, and its ownership in high regard. “Nathan speaks highly of Stoke, its supporters, and the people there. When I consulted him about joining, he was very positive and assured me I would enjoy it due to the many good people involved. He understood the importance of winning games and accepted that his tenure didn’t go as planned, but that’s part of football.”