Ryan Shawcross says that leading Stoke City out as manager tops anything else he has achieved in his football career.
The Stoke legend spent a decade as captain, leading the team out in an FA Cup final and in top half Premier League finishes, but he was thrilled to be asked to step up as caretaker for a Carabao Cup third round tie against Fleetwood Town at the bet365 Stadium – and finally winning via a penalty shoot-out.
He had returned to the club as youth coach in the summer of 2023 and ultimately stepped up to become under-21s lead coach, being tasked with temporarily stepping over to the seniors on Monday after the dismissal of Steven Schumacher.
He saw Michael Rose give Stoke a second half lead but, following a 90th minute equaliser, it needed a shoot-out in front of the Boothen End to finally see the Potters through into the last 16. He is expected to hand over the reins to Narcis Pelach on Wednesday but will not forget this opportunity.
“I just said that I think it tops what I’ve done in my career as a player,” he said. “This is the highlight of my footballing career. I’ve loved every moment, from the moment Walts (Jon Walters) told me I was in charge, the decision making, having the authority to make decisions, I’ve loved every bit of it. I liked that the lads were receptive of what I was saying and I thought they put in a really good performance.”
Shawcross will head back to the under-21s now and he is enjoying that role but clearly has an ambition to become a manager in his own right down the line.
“That’s where I want to go. I started my journey at 25 and started getting coaching badges and I was 32 when I got my pro licence. I’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes to get to this point,” he said.
“Walts doesn’t just make you head coach of Stoke City for a game, you have to have done something and I’ve put a lot of hard work in and that will continue. I want to be a manager and I want that as quickly as possible but I’m at a great club, I’ve got a 21s role which gives me the opportunity to practise, understand players, get better and develop myself. An opportunity like this amazing for me and my CV and with the link I’ve got wiht the club, it’s a great place to be.”
