Dean Scott Keates is an English professional football manager and former player who is the manager of club Wrexham. During his playing career, Keates played as a midfielder, making his professional debut for hometown club Walsall in 1996. He won promotion six times with three of his clubs – three times with Walsall in 1999, 2001 and 2007, once with Hull City in 2004 and twice with Peterborough United in 2008 and 2009.
Playing career
Walsall
Keates came through the ranks at his hometown club Walsall, making his professional debut as a substitute in a 1–0 loss to Plymouth Argyle on 12 October 1996. He made his first start for the club later that season on 25 January 1997, playing the full game in a 3–1 victory over Notts County. He became a first team regular in the next season as, at the age of 19, he played in 48 games in all competitions. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win away at Millwall on 3 December 1997. Keates was a key member of the Saddlers' midfield in a successful 1998–99 season, playing in all but three games as Walsall won promotion to First Division as runners-up, ahead of Manchester City. Relegation followed the next year as Walsall struggled to adapt to life at a higher level, though the club immediately won promotion back to Division One with a play-off final victory over Reading at the end of the 2000–01 campaign. Keates played for the full 120 minutes of the game, which ended in a 3–2 win for Walsall after extra time. He played 15 games in the 2001–02 season as Walsall survived in the division, before he was released in July 2002.
Hull City
Keates moved to Third Division club Hull City, initially on a non-contract basis, in August 2002. By the end of September, Keates' displays had earned him a two-year contract, awarded to him by then-Hull manager Jan Mølby. Despite new chairman Adam Pearson's money being pumped into the club on new players, Keates endured a lukewarm season at Hull, playing in 35 league games as they finished mid-table. The next season, 2003–04, was more fruitful with Hull achieving promotion to the newly named League One as runners-up. Keates, however, played no part in the campaign after December 2003 – a knee injury that kept him sidelined proved his undoing, as he could not force his way back into the team and subsequently left the club before the end of the season.
On 10 February 2004, Third Division club Kidderminster Harriers, now managed by former Hull boss Jan Mølby, signed Keates on a free transfer. He played in eight games as the Harriers avoided relegation back to the Football Conference. Though he played 41 games the next season, Keates and Kidderminster were relegated. He left the club at the end of the season, his contract having expired.
On 1 July 2005, Keates signed for League Two club Lincoln City on a one-year deal. He made his Lincoln debut in a 2–1 defeat to Notts County on 13 August 2005 and scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Rushden & Diamonds later that month. He went on to play 24 games and score four goals for the Imps.
Return to Walsall
Keates re-joined former club Walsall on a free transfer on transfer deadline day in January 2006, after his Lincoln contract was cancelled by mutual consent. It was initially an unhappy return for Keates as Walsall were relegated to League Two at the end of the season. Richard Money was appointed as the Saddlers' new manager in May 2006, and under him, Keates was appointed captain. He played a key role in Walsall's promotion as champions back to League One in the 2006–07 season, scoring a career best 13 goals. Keates was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year for the 2006–07 season, as well as being named Walsall's Player of the Season.
Peterborough United
Keates was signed by League Two club Peterborough United on a three-year deal on 14 May 2007, having refused the offer of a new contract from Walsall. He played 78 league games, scoring 11 goals, as Peterborough achieved successive promotions to the Championship. Keates was released by Peterborough United on 31 December 2009, having not played a minute of football under new Posh manager Mark Cooper. He managed just 6 games and 1 goal, against Newcastle United at St James Park, in the 2009–10 season before Cooper's arrival.
On 21 January 2010, Keates signed for League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a 6-month contract. He scored his first, and only, goal for the club against Huddersfield Town on 3 April 2010. He was released by Wycombe on 10 May 2010.
Wrexham
Keates signed for Conference Premier club Wrexham two days after being released by Wycombe. He was named captain for the season, and scored his first goal four games into the season with a 30-yard volley against former club Kidderminster Harriers. In his first season for the club, Keates lead the team to a play-off semi-final against Luton Town but they lost the tie 5–1 on aggregate. In the 2011–12 season Keates played in some major matches, including the FA Cup 3rd round match at Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion. A draw at the Albion's American Express Stadium meant a replay was to be played at The Racecourse which Wrexham lost 4–5 on penalties, the only missed penalty being the first taken by Keates. There was also déjà vu at the end of the season, as Wrexham fell to another play-off semi-final defeat to Luton Town. Despite the disappointment, Keates signed a new one-year deal at the club at the end of the season. The 2012–13 season was disappointing one in the league as Wrexham missed out on a place in the play-offs, finishing in 10th place. The season was still to end with glory for the Dragons, however, as they reached the 2013 FA Trophy Final and beat Grimsby Town on penalties at Wembley Stadium. After becoming a fans' favourite during his time at the Racecourse, by making 180 appearances in total for the club as captain, he was released in May 2015.
Following his release by Wrexham, Keates joined the coaching staff at the groundbreaking Glyndŵr Wrexham Football Academy. He joined in order to develop his coaching skills and complete his sports coaching degree at the university. Keates refused to completely hang up his boots, however, and also signed part-time with Welsh Premier League club Rhyl.
Keates returned to his roots by signing for Walsall-based Northern Premier League side Rushall Olympic in July 2016. He made seven appearances in the league and two in the FA Cup in a short spell for The Pics before leaving the club to take over as Wrexham manager.
Management career
Wrexham
Keates was appointed as Wrexham's new permanent manager on 25 October 2016 after a brief interim spell in charge after the sacking of Gary Mills. With just nine games of the 2017–18 National League season remaining Keates left Wrexham for Walsall F.C.. Subsequently, Wrexham failed to make the National League play-offs that season as a result.
Walsall
On 16 March 2018, Keates re-joined hometown club Walsall for a third time, this time as first-team manager. On 6 April 2019, Keates was dismissed as Walsall manager following a 3–1 home defeat to Oxford United. This followed winning just three, drawing three and losing 14 of Keates' last 20 games as manager. The following month Walsall were relegated to League Two.
Return to Wrexham
Keates was re-appointed as Wrexham's new permanent manager on 6 October 2019 after the sacking of Bryan Hughes. Keates took over with Wrexham in 20th position, one place above the relegation places. On 1 December 2019 the Wrexham A.F.C board publicly apologised to supporters for poor performances after crisis talks with Keates. This was immediately following a defeat against the then bottom-of-the-table side Ebbsfleet United F.C. Wrexham A.F.C reached the lowest league position in their 155-year history.
