Reid to quit Thailand for Stoke number two role

Peter Reid has confirmed he will be leaving his current job as coach of Thailand to take up an offer to serve as assistant to Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

Reid still has three years left on his contract with the Thai FA but he told BBC Radio Stoke that he had reached an agreement with his current employers which would allow him to leave his post.

“Once everything was sorted out with the Thai FA, which was important because I did have three years left on a deal there and I didn’t want to upset anyone there, I was delighted to say yes and be part of it,” Reid said on Wednesday.

“I enjoyed it there. The players are technically very very good. It’s a great place to live in terms of the culture and the climate.

“But the Premier League is the greatest league in the world and I’m English through and through. Even though it was very difficult to leave, it was always my ambition to come back here and work.”

Reid also insisted that he had no problem with taking on the role of number two at Stoke.

“I did the same thing at Manchester City and Everton, and the England Under-21s, so it’s not a problem,” he said.

“Anything to do with football I enjoy. I enjoy being involved with the players.

“The role is fine, it will do for me as long as I can have an impact here and help this club grow stronger.

“The club has done fantastic staying in the Premier League. We’ve got a battle on this season but it’s important I can help the players and Tony to improve and make the club stronger – that’s my job.

“Number two doesn’t matter. As long as I can have some input into making this club stronger.”