Arsenal have lost one of the brightest young coaches in the game as Max Porter departs the Emirates Stadium to become Stoke City's new assistant manager. The 38-year-old Englishman, who had been with the Gunners since 2017, leaves his role as Under-21s head coach to work alongside experienced Stoke boss Mark Robins.
Porter's Journey from Player to Coach
Porter enjoyed a playing career in the lower leagues, representing clubs such as AFC Wimbledon, Newport County, and Barnet before retiring early to pursue coaching. He joined Arsenal's academy setup in 2017, starting with the Under-9s and progressively working his way up through the age groups. His dedication and expertise saw him become the Under-21s head coach, where he played a pivotal role in developing several exceptional young talents.
Stoke City's Delight at the Appointment
Stoke City's sporting director, Jonathan Walters, expressed his enthusiasm about the new addition. 'Max arrives from one of the most elite and successful environments in the country, and we're delighted to welcome him to Stoke City,' Walters said. 'He has built a reputation as one of the brightest young coaches in the game and has played an important role in the development of a number of exceptional young players during his time at Arsenal.'
Walters highlighted Porter's attributes: 'What stood out to us was Max's drive, energy, and ambition. He is constantly looking to improve, challenge, and develop those around him, and we believe he will be a tremendous addition to our environment. As we continue to strengthen and add quality to our backroom staff, Max is another important appointment for the club, and we're excited to see the impact he can make as we prepare for the season ahead.'
Arsenal's Farewell
An Arsenal spokesperson paid tribute to Porter's contributions: 'During his time with us, Max helped provide a strong foundation for many of our young players as they prepared for their futures in senior football, alongside competing regularly in Premier League 2. Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Max for his contribution to the club and wish him and his family all the best for the future.'
Robins' Future at Stoke
There had been some uncertainty regarding Mark Robins' position at the end of the season after Stoke finished 17th in the Championship. However, the former Coventry and Barnsley manager now appears set to remain at the helm. Following the conclusion of the campaign, Robins had commented: 'We're in next week, we'll have meetings no doubt, and we'll speak with the hierarchy and see what happens from there. A lot of things are up in the air, not least the financial rules for the league and things like that. I think that will certainly have a bearing on what we eventually do or can do. But in the meantime, we'll just get on and do what we can at this point.'
