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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Glen Williams

Cardiff City recruit Watford and Bath Rugby coaches as Steve Morison rings changes off the pitch

Cardiff City have bolstered their backroom staff ahead of pre-season with the appointments of goalkeeping coach Graham Stack and head of physical performance Patrick Wilson.

Steve Morison has started to put his stamp on the playing squad in this summer transfer window, having brought in eight players so far with as many as 10 out-of-contract players currently looking likely to head out of the exit door. There are still conversations ongoing with Joe Ralls as things stand, though, while Sean Morrison will remain with the club while he is nursed back to full fitness.

Now, Morison has added to his coaching staff as he tries to bring a whole new look and feel to the club in a bid to better their hugely disappointing campaign last year.

Read more: Aaron Ramsey now odds on to sign for Cardiff City

Tom Ramasut and Mark Hudson took over the roles which were occupied by Terry Connor and James Rowberry, however following Carl Serrant's exit to Newport County and the departure of keeper coach Andy Dibble, two spots needed to be filled in the off-season. Cardiff's search to fill both positions has finally concluded, with Stack and Wilson set to assume their respective roles next week as pre-season kicks off in earnest at the club's Vale of Glamorgan HQ.

Watford announced this week that former Arsenal stopper Stack, who came through the Gunners' academy in the late 1990s, would depart the club from his position as head of academy goalkeeping. Stack, who also played for the likes of Millwall, Leeds United, Wolves, Hibernian and Barnet, had been with the Hornets since 2018.

The former Republic of Ireland youth international, 40, announced on social media this week that he was leaving Vicarage Road for a new challenge. "Thank you for everything and best of luck for next season apart from two games obviously," he said, clearly referencing the two games in which Watford will take on Cardiff, "and of course the future. Thanks for the memories!"

Then there is Patrick Wilson, who goes by PJ Wilson, who joins the Bluebirds in his first job in football as he makes the switch from Bath Rugby. Wilson has a fantastic CV when it comes to honing physical performance.

Ireland and Lions scrum-half Conor Murray in conversation PJ Wilson during his time with Munster (Getty Images)

He spent eight years with European giants Munster, undertaking a number of roles including head of athletic performance and senior strength and conditioning coach, before making the switch to Bath in 2019. He moved to the Rec as head of strength and conditioning before being appointed as the head of athletic performance a year later.

The Irishman, who hails from Fermoy in County Cork, is currently doing his PhD at the University of Central Lancashire, centred around decision-making under uncertainty in high-performance environments.

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