Arsenal confirm u21 head coach has joined Stoke

Arsenal confirm u21 head coach has joined Stoke Porter spent nine years at Arsenal and will now work alongside Ryan Shawcross as Stoke add to their senior coaching staff. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Arsenal have confirmed that Max Porter has left his role as Under-21 head coach to join Stoke City as an assistant manager. Porter, who joined Arsenal nine years ago and worked his way through the club’s academy structure, will now become part of Stoke’s senior coaching staff, where he will work alongside Ryan Shawcross . The move was reported on Tuesday and was confirmed soon after, bringing an end to Porter’s long spell at Arsenal after his rise through the ranks to take charge of the Under-21s. Arsenal wrote, “Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Max for his contribution to the club and wish him and his family all the best for the future.” Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters said : “Max arrives from one of the most elite and successful environments in the country, and we’re delighted to welcome him to Stoke City. “He has built a reputation as one of the brightest young coaches in the game and has played an important role in the development of a number of exceptional young players during his time at Arsenal. “What stood out to us was Max’s drive, energy and ambition. He is constantly looking to improve, challenge and develop those around him, and we believe he will be a tremendous addition to our environment. “As we continue to strengthen and add quality to our backroom staff, Max is another important appointment for the club, and we’re excited to see the impact he can make as we prepare for the season ahead.” For Arsenal, Porter’s departure leaves a vacancy at Under-21 level and removes a coach who had built up almost a decade of knowledge inside the club’s academy. There is, of course, no love lost between Arsenal and Stoke, so few supporters will be wishing him too much professional success in his new role, even if they will wish him well personally. The hostility between the clubs has long been shaped by Shawcross’s 2010 tackle on Aaron Ramsey , which broke the Arsenal midfielder’s leg which resulted in Ramsey being booed by Stoke fans for years.