Stoke name Higgins as new academy director
· Yahoo Sports
Stoke City have appointed Jack Higgins as the club's new academy director.
The 34-year-old is a former head of education at Burnley and joins the Potters after spending the past six years as manager of the academy at League Two Fleetwood Town.
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In his time with the Cod Army, Higgins oversaw the development of their academy to Category Two status in 2023.
Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters said Higgins' experience of "building productive environments, developing players and connecting academy and first-team football" made him the "ideal person" for the job.
"Over the last few months, we have taken time to look closely at our academy structure and how we can better support the development of young players throughout the club," Walters added.
"We all recognise that the step from academy football to first-team football has become increasingly challenging in the modern game.
"Our responsibility is to make that pathway as clear and consistent as possible."
The club have also announced Sam Stockley will become head of professional development phase and take charge of the under-21 side.
Stockley has been with Stoke for the past year having spent 14 years working in youth football in the USA.