Francis will coach the Potters after all

Former Spurs manager, Gerry Francis has finally agreed to stay at the Brit to coach the Potters on a part-time basis.

Francis has been coaching at Stoke for two days a week for the past few weeks, but had been linked with a similar role for the strife ridden Magpies up on Tyneside.

But a move to the north-east’s top comedy club would have created more uncertainty than Francis cared for and he has ended the speculation by publicly stating that although he was made an ‘generous’ offer he has decided to stay at Stoke and will sign a long term contract to coach the first team for two days a week.

Famous for his 1970’s mullet hairstyle, he won 12 caps for England and was captain eight times. He spent eleven years playing for QPR and then went on to manage them twice during his managerial career which ended in 2001 with a short spell at Bristol Rovers. Since then he has been mainly out of the football spotlight but his wealth of experience both as a player and manager will be a great addition to Stoke’s backroom staff.