Stoke heal management rift

Director of football John Rudge and assistant manager Jan de Koning have returned to Stoke after their fall-out with boss Johan Boskamp was resolved.

The duo were sent on a week’s leave almost two weeks ago after Boskamp took exception to a tactical discussion that took place during the 2-1 win at Coventry.

It was reported that Dutchman Boskamp, who replaced Tony Pulis in July, wanted the pair to leave the club as he felt his authority had been compromised.

Rudge returned to the Britannia Stadium on Monday for talks with Boskamp, mediated by chief executive Tony Scholes and, after a “full review of the roles of the management team”, De Koning is also now back at work.

Scholes said: “It is now important that we put this behind us, pull together and Johan Boskamp and Jan de Koning in particular, focus on the Crewe match this coming Saturday.

“John Rudge will continue to focus on the medium to long-term development of the squad. Johan Boskamp’s role is to manage the current first team, with Jan de Koning as his assistant.”