The 42-year-old started his coaching career in the US, first with Hartford Athletic and then with Tampa Bay Rowdies. At the latter, he worked under former Sunderland team-mate Neill Collins eventually following him to Barnsley in 2023.
Stead remained at Oakwell under Darrell Clarke and ex-Blue Conor Hourihane, leaving at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
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He now reunites with Clarke, who was appointed manager of Bristol Rovers for a second time in early May.
Reunited 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ahaplQB4Hn
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) June 14, 2025
Stead joined Ipswich as a player back in 2008, making his loan permanent for a reported fee of £600k after just one game.
He made 67 appearances during his time in Suffolk, scoring 20 goals before moving to Coventry City on loan and then Bristol City on a permanent deal in August 2010.