Stoke City have brought in Max Porter from Arsenal to work as Mark Robins' assistant, another sign of how the club are reshaping the backroom team. Jonathan Walters called it "another important appointment" and said Stoke are excited about the impact Porter can make. Porter, 38, has been on Arsenal's coaching staff since 2017.
Why Stoke have turned to Arsenal's academy pathway
Porter had progressed through Arsenal's academy set-up and took charge of the under-21 side last season. Walters said he has "built a reputation as one of the brightest young coaches in the game" and pointed to "the development of a number of exceptional young players at Arsenal" as part of the appeal.
That profile fits what Stoke seem to be doing here. They finished 17th last season and are rebuilding for next season, so this is not just a cosmetic staff change. It is a choice for a coach with development experience, coming out of a club where the academy and first-team pathway have both been under pressure to deliver.
What it says about Stoke's rebuild
The hire also sits inside a mixed spell on the pitch. Stoke's last five results are 2W-1D-2L, which is a decent enough illustration of a team still looking for consistency. They beat Coventry 1-0 in the FA Cup, lost 1-2 to Fulham in the same competition, and were beaten 0-3 by Bradford in the League Cup.
That run does not prove anything on its own about Porter, and it should not be treated as if it does. What it does show is why Stoke want another experienced voice around Robins. Walters framed Porter as someone who can make an impact, and the appointment makes sense as part of a wider rebuild rather than a single headline move. If Stoke are serious about changing the way they work, this is the kind of staff decision that matters.
Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →