Max Porter Departs Arsenal to Join Stoke City Coaching Staff
Max Porter is leaving his position as the men’s under-21s head coach at Arsenal to become the Assistant Manager at Stoke City. The move sees Porter transition from a youth development focus to a senior first-team role within the English Football League structure, where the Championship sits directly below the Premier League and shapes promotion and relegation across the professional pyramid.
Porter joins the coaching staff under manager Mark Robins as Stoke City prepares for the upcoming league campaign. The appointment brings a blend of academy progression and senior coaching experience to the Potters’ technical team at a time when tactical continuity, youth integration and squad depth are critical for clubs seeking a sustainable push for promotion.
Development Legacy at Arsenal
Porter’s tenure at Arsenal began in July 2017, starting as the under-9s coach. Over the following years, he moved through various leadership tiers within the club’s youth system, playing a central role in the pipeline that prepares academy prospects for professional football and, ultimately, for decisions on contracts, loans and first-team inclusion.
His progression at the club included several key appointments:
- Head Coach for the under-13s, under-17s, and under-19s
- Youth Development Phase Lead Coach
- Men’s Under-21s Head Coach (appointed August 2025)
In his most recent role leading the under-21s, Porter guided the team to a 14th-place finish out of 29 teams in Premier League 2 last season. Operating under the Premier League’s central youth development framework, this competition serves as the primary proving ground for elite young talent in England, balancing long-term player development with the performance metrics that inform club governance on pathway effectiveness.
Professional Background and Experience
Porter’s move to the Championship is supported by a diverse professional history. Prior to his time at Arsenal, he gained coaching experience across several clubs, including:
- Newport County
- Chelmsford City
- Bromley
This coaching pedigree is underpinned by a senior playing career that spanned 13 years, providing him with first-hand experience of the professional game and the regulatory demands of league competition-knowledge that is increasingly valued by club boards when shaping technical and recruitment strategies.
Arsenal have thanked Porter for his contributions to the club’s youth setup and the foundation he helped build for the next generation of senior players. Internally, his departure triggers a key academy appointment process, with both Arsenal and Stoke City aligning their staffing moves to broader strategic plans on talent development, competitive performance and long-term squad planning.
