Stephen Crainey returns to Wigan Athletic as the Club’s new Lead Professional Development Phase Coach (PDP)
- Stephen Crainey appointed as Lead Professional Development Phase Coach (U21s)
- A former Latics defender, Crainey returns to the DW Stadium following a successful five-year stay at Fleetwood Town
- 3PL Wigan Athletic Academy Manager, Gregor Rioch: “Stephen is an outstanding coach who has been doing the same role at Fleetwood Town for a number of years. He arrives with a proven record of developing young players and coaching them in a way that we hope will get them ready for first-team football."
We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Stephen Crainey as the Club’s new Lead Professional Development Phase Coach (PDP).
Arriving at the DW Stadium with a wealth of domestic and international experience, Crainey’s professional playing and coaching career has spanned almost three decades, and his main responsibility as PDP Lead will be to oversee Latics’ U21s squad.
A former Scotland international who spent a season with Latics during the 2013/14 Sky Bet Championship campaign, Crainey made over 350 career appearances in the Scottish Premier League, EFL and the Premier League. His most notable spell was the time that he spent at Blackpool, with Crainey helping the Tangerines on their fairytale rise to the top flight.
Upon retiring in 2016, the 41-year-old began his coaching career with his former side Fleetwood Town a year later. He was a vital cog in Town’s Academy system, playing a significant role in the development of a number of players who made it to first team level at Highbury.
After previously working with the U23s over the last four seasons, Crainey took charge of the first team last term following the departure of Simon Grayson in November 2021. He picked up 26 points during his 29-game stint at the helm, helping the Cod Army secure their League One status on the final day of the season.
Crainey has now returned to the DW Stadium to start the new chapter of his coaching career with the 3PL Wigan Athletic Academy. He will take charge of the U21s for the first time on Monday afternoon when Latics take on Barnsley at Christopher Park, aiming to make it five unbeaten in the Professional Development League.
Speaking after Stephen’s appointment, 3PL Wigan Athletic Academy Manager, Gregor Rioch said:
“We are really pleased to have Stephen on board with us. I’d like to thank Fleetwood Town for accommodating the process and allowing us to bring him in a little sooner than first expected.
“Stephen is an outstanding coach who has been doing the same role at Fleetwood Town for a number of years. He arrives with a proven record of developing young players and coaching them in a way that we hope will get them ready for first-team football.
“It always excites me when we are able to bring a former Latics player back to the Football Club, and we believe that Stephen will be a great addition to our coaching team at the 3PL Wigan Athletic Academy.”
Welcome back, Stephen!