36 Facts About Dean Whitehead

Dean Whitehead was born on 12 January 1982 and is an English former professional footballer and coach.

Dean Whitehead played for Oxford in the Second Division until their relegation into the Third Division in 2001.

Dean Whitehead was signed by Championship club Sunderland in 2004.

Dean Whitehead won promotion in his first season with Sunderland, although they were relegated from the Premier League after one season.

Dean Whitehead was made captain by Roy Keane as Sunderland claimed an instant return to the top flight.

Dean Whitehead helped Stoke reach the 2011 FA Cup Final, where the team finished runners-up to Manchester City.

Dean Whitehead moved to Huddersfield Town two years later, helping them to promotion from the Championship in 2017 before retiring in 2018.

Dean Whitehead continued with his impressive displays to the end of the year.

Dean Whitehead was praised for his performances in his run of first-team football.

Manager Graham Rix revealed that Dean Whitehead would have been appointed as Crosby's successor as captain if he signed a new contract with the club.

In June 2004, Dean Whitehead signed for Championship club Sunderland on a free transfer.

Dean Whitehead quickly became a key member of the team, playing regularly despite facing competition from other midfielders.

Dean Whitehead's run in the first-team saw him praised by manager Mick McCarthy.

Dean Whitehead scored three more goals later in the season in games that ended up as Sunderland victories.

Dean Whitehead's performances earned him comparison to Manchester United's Roy Keane.

On 26 November, Dean Whitehead signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him at the Stadium of Light until 2010.

Dean Whitehead continued to establish himself in the first-team, under the management of newly appointed manager Roy Keane.

Towards the end of the season, Dean Whitehead scored two more goals.

Dean Whitehead came second in the club's Player of the Year vote.

At the start of the season, Dean Whitehead continued to remain in the starting line-up for the side.

Dean Whitehead left Sunderland in August 2009 after making 200 appearances for the club.

Dean Whitehead stated that Stoke's team spirit was the main reason for his move to the club.

Dean Whitehead made a slow start to his Stoke career with a number of anonymous performances.

Dean Whitehead scored his second league goal for Stoke away to Manchester United on 4 January 2011, becoming the first Stoke player to score at Old Trafford since 1980.

Dean Whitehead remained back-up to Glenn Whelan for the remainder of the season, being used mainly as a substitute, although he was assigned as a stand-in right back in the absence of Andy Wilkinson and Ryan Shotton.

Dean Whitehead signed a two-year contract with Championship club Middlesbrough on 2 July 2013.

In June 2015, Dean Whitehead signed for Championship club Huddersfield Town on a two-year contract.

Dean Whitehead quickly established himself in the first-team under the management of Chris Powell.

Dean Whitehead missed the first two matches of the new season after being suspended over his involvement in an incident against Brentford in the last game of the previous season.

However, Dean Whitehead struggled in the first-team under David Wagner, due to strong competition from other midfielders.

On 16 November 2019, Dean Whitehead joined Sam Ricketts' backroom staff at League One side Shrewsbury Town, replacing Joe Parkinson as first-team coach.

On 25 August 2020, Dean Whitehead was promoted to assistant manager after the departure of Jon Pitts and Graham Barrow.

Dean Whitehead joined the coaching staff at League Two side Port Vale in July 2021 as part of director of football David Flitcroft's summer overhaul; manager Darrell Clarke said that Dean Whitehead "is definitely someone our squad can look up to".

Dean Whitehead left the club when head coach Valerien Ismael was sacked three months later.

Dean Whitehead joined Cardiff City as a first-team coach in November 2022.

Dean Whitehead is good friends with Liam Lawrence, having been teammates at Sunderland and Stoke City.