Glenn Whelan has returned to Bristol Rovers ahead of the new season with the promotion-winning hero joining Joey Barton's coaching staff.
Whelan has also been registered as a player in case he is required, and he has been joined by former Accrington Stanley and Sligo Rovers player Danny Ventre on the staff. Both have been named first-team coaches, working alongside Andy Mangan and Kevin Bond, plus Anssi Jaakkola who is filling the goalkeeping coach role on an interim basis.
Whelan, 38, joined Rovers in September last year after playing under Barton at Fleetwood Town. The pair came through the same youth team setup at Manchester City, and Barton was eager to add him to his coaching staff.
“Glenn’s influence both on and off the pitch last year was huge," the manager said. "His infectious nature means that when the opportunity arose to bring him back as a coach, it was a no-brainer. The experience and knowledge he can pass on to the lads will be a key factor for us moving forward.”
Ventre, 36, had been in charge of the development squad at Championship side Blackpool and Barton believes he will add plenty to Rovers' coaching group.
"We are really pleased to add Danny to our coaching team," Barton said. "He is someone who brings with him lots of fresh ideas for training and matchdays. He’s an enthusiastic character and the lads will really respond to him. I’m delighted with my team of coaches for the season ahead.”
Whelan spent much of his career playing for Stoke City in the Premier League. He also had a stint with Aston Villa and he made 91 appearances for the Republic of Ireland.
Coaching always appeared to be in his future, with the midfielder taking on a mentoring role for Rovers' young players last season in addition to playing 33 games in all competitions as the Gas finished third in League One.
Whelan was released by Rovers at the end of last season, but he could wear the blue and white quarters again, but Barton is delighted he has made his transition into coaching official.
"At Fleetwood and here, he’s been superb for us," Barton said. "I think there is still a part of him that wants to play on. I said to him ‘If you’re ever going to get off the parade, 7-0 at the Mem… You’ve had a great career, give someone else a go, will you?’
"There’s never a right time to go out, but go out at the apex, go out on that. There’s no better way of going out.
"We’ve had a number of conversations back and forth over the summer because it’s not my place to tell people what to do and great for Whelo that he feels the next stage of his football journey isn’t what it was last year.
Barton believes Whelan has the potential to manage his country one day.
"I think he’s got all the attributes to be a fantastic coach," the manager said. "Being an Irishman, could you see him one day managing and coaching Ireland? Yeah, of course I could, with his experience of his playing career and his international career.
"We go back to the youth team days at Man City and I like young, hungry staff. I believe massively in good coaches make good players and I think Whelo will be an outstanding coach. Not only because of the standing he’s got in the building from when he played, but last year he was mega close to the young players because we had those two dressing rooms (due to COVID regulations) and Whelo was in the other dressing room."
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