Former Stoke and Sunderland man Dean Whitehead linked with TNS role

Dean Whitehead has emerged as a potential candidate for vacancy at Cymru Premier title hopefuls The New Saints.

The 39-year-old is the latest candidate to the linked with the role after the shock departure of Scott Ruscoe.

Whitehead amassed over 600 appearances in an 18-year playing career, playing for the likes of Stoke City and Sunderland, both in the Premier League.

Applications for the role ended on Friday and interviews will be conducted with the prospective managers over the coming week and Whitehead could be a genuine contender for the job.

A report from The Shropshire Star says that the 2010/2011 FA Cup runner-up is keen on returning to the day-to-day running of a football club.

The report adds that Whitehead believes his values and beliefs on the style of play and football ethos line up with the vision of the perennial winners.

He had most recently been working as assistant manager to Sam Ricketts at Shrewsbury Town, but the pair left The New Meadow in November.

Prior to working with Ricketts at Shrewsbury, he also worked as a coach to David Wagner at Huddersfield Town, earning the UEFA A Licence. Whitehead is currently studying for his Pro Licence with the Scottish Football Association. 

Further on down in the Shropshire Star’s report, they said that an ‘elite’ coach who was the youngest Englishman to be awarded the Pro Licence was linked, as well as a former Saints defender who managed in the English leagues. 

In an update to the role, Mike Harris last week said to Dai Sport: “We’re very, very impressed with the list of applicants – we’ve had very strong interest from the UK and Europe,” he said.

“We’ve had interest from managers, who’ve had international experience, ex-captains of national teams, and served under significant managers like Jose Mourinho.”

Last week, Chris Coleman was a reported candidate, however his wife Charlotte distanced him from the role. 

The successful applicant is scheduled to start at the start of Phase Two, TNS legend Chris Seargeant is currently in caretaker charge of the club with one win and one defeat.

(Featured Image: Ronnie Macdonald)