Former Rovers man leaves coaching role at Championship rivals

Stoke City have parted ways with former Rovers man Paul Gallagher ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign.

Gallagher took up a coaching role with the Potters last summer and managed the first team on an interim basis before Steven Schumacher was appointed last December, overseeing draws against Swansea and West Brom.

The 39-year-old also had a couple of spells at Stoke during his playing career, helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2008 under Tony Pulis.

Sporting director Jonathan Walters told the club website: “I wish to place on record the club’s thanks to Paul for his work and dedication as part of our first team staff, and during his interim period in charge last season.

“Having returned to Stoke City as a coach after previously enjoying success here as a player, Paul will rightly always receive a warm welcome from supporters when he returns to the bet365 Stadium in the future. Everyone connected with the club wishes him all the very best.”

Gallagher began his career at Rovers and went on to make more than 60 appearances during his time in East Lancashire.

The Scottish midfielder also had loan stints at Preston and Plymouth before heading to Leicester, playing more than 100 games for the Foxes.

He returned to Deepdale to finish his career with North End before deciding to hang up his boots in 2021, transitioning to a coaching role as part of Alex Neil’s backroom team.

Gallagher also worked alongside Frankie McAvoy and Ryan Lowe in the dugout at PNE before heading to Stoke to reunite with Neil.

The Potters finished 17th in the Championship, six points above the relegation zone, following a strong end to the campaign with wins against Plymouth, Southampton and Bristol City.

Rovers ran out 3-1 winners when the sides met at Ewood Park in February, with Tyrhys Dolan bagging a brace and Sam Szmodics also getting on the scoresheet. It wasn’t officially the first game of John Eustace’s tenure but the head coach took the reigns in the second half.