Championship news: Alex Neil axes former Sunderland man in behind-the-scenes Stoke City reshuffle

StokeOnTrentLive states that Delap is set to leave the club after four-and-a-half years in the role with former Sunderland boss Alex Neil set to make sweeping changes alongside technical director Ricky Martin.

The Black Cats signed Delap during his playing days in the Premier League in 2005 under Mick McCarthy. Sunderland suffered relegation to the Championship and the midfielder was loaned to Stoke City after Roy Keane took over at the Stadium of Light.

A week after signing on loan, Delap made his home debut for Stoke City against his parent club Sunderland. However, after a challenge from Robbie Elliott, he sustained fractures to his tibia and fibula early in the game.

Although the injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2006–07 season, manager Tony Pulis signed Delap on a permanent basis and Delap went on to make 208 appearances in the red and white of Stoke.

Delap then appeared for Barnsley and Burton Albion towards the end of his career before retiring in 2014. He returned to Stoke in June 2018 as first-team coach to Gary Rowett and took caretaker charge of the first team following the sacking of Nathan Jones.

But now it appears that Delap has been axed from Stoke City by Neil. Delap is considered a club legend given his legendary throw-ins, long stint at the club and well-documented charity work. His son Liam Delap remains at the club on loan from Manchester City.