MANCHESTER UNITED hero John O’Shea has joined Stoke’s first-team coaching staff.
O’Shea, 41, rolled credits on his glittering playing career in 2019 and has been pursuing a new challenge in management ever since.
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The former centre-back worked as a coach at Reading for two years and has also been assistant manager at Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s since 2020.
And the Potters have confirmed that the 41-year-old has joined the first team’s backroom staff, while retaining his duties with the Irish national team’s youth squad.
Stoke manager Michael O’Neill praised O’Shea’s appointment as he expects him to bring “extremely high standards” that stem from his time playing at top level.
O’Neill told the club’s official website: “John is at the start of his coaching career.
“He had a spell at Reading after his career as a player drew to a close and is involved at international level.
“I think he will bring a great deal to us. In coaching you bring your standards as a player and I think everyone knows that John O’Shea had extremely high standards as a player.
“He had a fantastic playing career but he’s very keen to learn as a coach as well and he has settled in extremely well.
“I think he brings the right mix of not only his expertise but also his personality and he’s a good person to have around, particularly around young players.”
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O’Shea started out at United’s academy in 1998 and was called up by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson to the first team only a year later.
The former Republic of Ireland international underwent two loan stints at Bournemouth and Royal Antwerp before becoming an established member of Ferguson’ squad in 2001.
The Irish star amassed a total of 15 goals and 24 assists in 393 appearances with the Red Devils and won five Premier League titles, the 2004 FA Cup and the 2008 Champions League trophy.
O’Shea left United in 2011 for Sunderland where he stayed for seven years before joining Reading until 2019 when he retired.