Stoke City’s hero has left the club following the appointment of former Port Vale manager.
Kevin Russell, a former Stoke City player and coach, has left the club.
Kevin Russell has left Cheltenham Town by mutual consent, marking the first staff move since former Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke was appointed manager.
Russell joined Cheltenham as an assistant manager during pre-season, having previously worked in the under-21s at Stoke City with then-first team boss Wade Elliott. Following his dismissal on September 20, Elliott stated unequivocally that he did not want to be considered for the top post.
The 56-year-old did, however, step in as caretaker manager for the games against Stevenage and Lincoln City as the club began an interview process to locate Elliott’s replacement. He had continued to assist Clarke in the first two games of his reign, but said his last farewells after Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Derby County.
“I am extremely grateful to Kevin for all his hard work and dedication, and for his willingness to step in to manage the side in an extremely difficult period between Wade’s departure and Darrell’s appointment,” Robins chairman David Bloxham said, according to GloucestershireLive. I wish Kevin the best of luck in the future, and he will always be welcome at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.
Clarke will now choose his own number two, with Ashley Vincent, the 38-year-old former Vale winger, expected to remain as first team coach. Dave Watson, the set piece coach, is reported to have already left. Cheltenham are bottom of League One after 10 defeats in their first 12 games, and their first goal of the season came against Derby.
Russell had been with Stoke for nine years, primarily working with the under-21s and under-18s, before leaving in May. As a player under Lou Macari in the early 1990s, he was a major crowd favorite, and as a coach, he helped develop talent such as Nathan Lowe, Emre Tezgel, and Sol Sidibe.
