HOLDEN TURNS DOWN CHANCE TO LINK UP WITH WALES
Potters assistant insists his full focus is on achieving success at the bet365 Stadium
DEAN Holden was flattered to be offered a chance to be brought into the Wales international back-room team – but turned it down to keep his focus on Stoke City.
Holden arrived at Stoke in April as a replacement for Billy Mckinlay as Michael O’neill’s assistant and has made a big, positive impression around the club.
The 42-year-old had been in charge at Bristol City in the first half of last season and is highly regarded as a coach, which saw him headhunted by Wales to help Rob Page get the best out of a squad which includes Joe Allen and Adam Davies.
He said: “I spoke to Rob Page, who came to me before Alan Knill was appointed, about the possibility of being appointed assistant manager obviously alongside working with Stoke as well.
“But we just felt it was probably the wrong time.
“It was a great privilege, I have to say, to be asked. They’re a really exciting team at the moment, Wales, with some good youngsters.
“But it was just the wrong timing. My focus remains on this club. For example at the moment I’d have been out with Wales and only returning on Wednesday or Thursday this week and it’s too much time to be away when you’ve got a day job like this.
“The focus remains on the club.”
Holden had been assistant to Lee Johnson at Bristol City for four years before taking over in the summer of 2020, overseeing a fine start before being derailed by an injury crisis over the winter.
He has looked a good fit next to O’neill and a young side which sits fourth in the Championship after the opening 11 games.
“I’m enjoying it immensely,” he said.
“I feel like I’m building a good working relationship with Michael and the rest of the staff.
“I’m really enjoying working with the players every day. The sessions we’ve had this week have been bang at it.
“It’s a good group of players to work with and it’s a huge football club. From an ambition side of things for me, to try to get to the Premier League is obviously where we all want to be.
“I would definitely say I’m a better assistant manager now having stepped in the shoes of a manager for a period of time at Bristol City.
“Hopefully I’m using that experience to help Michael and to keep helping wherever I’m needed.
“It’s an enjoyable time. My family come to all the games and we’ve been made to feel very welcome. It’s a great place to be at the moment.”
Harry Souttar is flying back to the UK after a late goal condemned Australia to defeat against Japan in a World Cup qualifier.
It is expected to be a tight threeway fight between Australia, Saudi Arabia and Japan for the two automatic qualification spots. It’s Saudi Arabia next up on November 11.
Allen, meanwhile, helped Wales to a 1-0 in Estonia that keeps them third in Group E behind Belgium and level on points with Czech Republic. Four points next month at home against Belarus and Belgium would guarantee runnersup spot.
Manager Page said: “Two cup finals left, and that’s how we’re going to treat it. We want all of our best players available. We’ll have the crowd behind us and we can’t wait.”