STONE READY FOR STEP UP

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First team coach relishing new role

2021-07-10T08:49:43.421Z

STONE READY FOR STEP UP

First team coach relishing new role

2021-07-10T08:49:43.421Z

First team coach relishing new role

Steve Stone is looking forward to a smooth transition into the senior management set-up at Turf Moor after being appointed as the Clarets’ first team coach.

Stone steps up from his role in charge of the Under-23s to replace the departing Tony Loughlan.

And after close to three seasons with the Clarets, the former Newcastle United coach was the ideal candidate to become the first new permanent addition to Sean Dyche’s management staff in his near nine year spell as Burnley boss.

“It’s something I was always looking to do. You’re always looking to try and progress your career,” said Stone, who had successfully overseen the Clarets' move into Premier League 2 at U23 level in his time in the club's academy.

“I was really happy in the role I was at with the U23s.

“We’re trying to progress it. The lads were moving in the right direction and I was really happy with how things were going.

“But sometimes opportunities arise in football which you can’t turn down.

“I know the first team from working with the manager and Ian Woan over the last two-and-a-half years on match days.

“I have worked with them closely to try and get the U23s to do exactly the same as the first team.

“For the manager to tell me it was available, I jumped at the chance.

“I didn’t have any hesitation at all and I didn’t think the manager would expect me to.”

Having a partial foot in both camps, Stone – whose playing career began with Dyche and assistant boss Ian Woan at Nottingham Forest – was the perfect go-between from the U23s to the senior set-up.

A number of young players have also bridged that gap in recent seasons and as well as looking to continute that pathway, Stone’s input will now be felt directly by the senior squad as the Clarets prepare for a sixth successive season in the Premier League.

“Myself, the manager and Woanie are very different personalities but we all want the same thing,” added the former England international, who played top-flight football for Forest, Aston Villa and Portsmouth.

“We are still driving towards the same thing in the way Burnley play and how we go about the structure.

“I understand what the first team needs from a first-team coach’s point of view and it was probably a natural step.

“Hopefully it’s going to be a natural progression and I’m really looking forward to it.”