Narcis Pelach gives his first sit-down interview on becoming new Stoke head coach

Narcis Pelach gives his first sit-down interview on becoming new Stoke City head coach, replacing the departed Steven Schumacher.

The Potters bring in the 36 year old Norwich City coach as their new head coach on a three-year contract, the Catalan, days after Steven Schumacher’s sacking after just nine months in charge.

Pelach has been in English football for four years, having been under Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield Town, then with David Wagner and his replacement Johannes Hoff Thorup at Carrow Road.

He will be joined by three new backroom men – coaches Dean Whitehead and Paul Clements, as well as performance analyst Harrison Glew, with the first game being on Friday at home to Hull City.

Potters, introducing your new Head Coach.

The warmest of Stoke City welcomes, Narcís Pèlach.

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) September 18, 2024

STOKE CITY STATEMENT:

Catalan appointed on three-year contract
Coaches Dean Whitehead and Paul Clements join City’s staff
Performance Analyst Harrison Glew also arrives
Narcís Pèlach has been appointed as the new Head Coach of Stoke City.

The 36-year-old Catalan, whose career to date has taken in spells with UE Figueres, CF Peralada, Girona, Huddersfield Town and Norwich City, joins the Potters on a three-year contract.

Sporting Director Jon Walters said: “Across the extensive dialogue I’ve had across football, including at the highest levels of the game, Narcís is one of the most respected and sought-after coaches around.

“He is exceptionally driven and meticulous and will drive those same standards from everyone around him at the Club.

“Having been a Head Coach in Spain from the age of 25, it was always something Narcís was going to get back to, and he has been patient about selecting the right opportunity.

“We are delighted that – after talking to John (Coates) and myself – Narcís was excited by the opportunity to represent a club with a talented young squad, a passionate fanbase and ambitious plans for the future.

“There is no doubt in our minds that Narcís will enjoy a successful career as a Head Coach and are excited to give him the opportunity to make that a reality at Stoke City.”

Pèlach will be joined at the Club by coaches Dean Whitehead and Paul Clements and Performance Analyst Harrison Glew.

The new Head Coach said: “I feel a great excitement and sense of responsibility to Stoke City and can’t thank John Coates and Jon Walters enough for giving me this opportunity.

“I’ve had other chances to become a Head Coach in England and in other countries. But once I saw in their eyes how passionate they are about the Club and how much they want to embrace a different identity and philosophy, I could not refuse and, once I’m in, I’m all in.

“I know the league, I know the opposition and I already know about our players. The level of the squad is good. I believe in them and I will create a playing style that suits their qualities.

“The methodology will be different, the training will be intense every day, sometimes it won’t be comfortable and players and coaches will be challenged a lot.

“But, if we get it right and do something together that owners, players, supporters and staff emotionally believe in, there are no limits to what we can achieve.”

Stoke City Chair John Coates added: “I’m delighted to welcome Narcís to Stoke City and wish him every success in his new role.

“From the way he articulates his ideas, to his meticulous depth of knowledge and his obvious passion and desire to be successful, everything about him is impressive, and I’m excited to witness the impact he will have on our Club.”

NORWICH STATEMENT:

Norwich City can confirm that three members of the backroom staff, Narcís Pèlach, Paul Clements and Harrison Glew, have left the club.

Pèlach joined the club as a first-team coach from Huddersfield Town ahead of the 2023/24 season.

He now leaves to take the head coach role at Stoke City, replacing Steven Schumacher.

Head of goalkeeping Paul Clements and performance analyst Harrison Glew will also be joining Pèlach at the bet365 Stadium.

Sporting director Ben Knapper said: “We wish Narcís, Paul and Harrison all the very best in their new challenge. Understandably, when this opportunity presented itself, there was a desire from Narcís to explore it further.

“I know from speaking to all three of the guys during my time with the club, they are all extremely grateful and thankful for the opportunity afforded to them here at Norwich City.

“We’ve already progressed with some of our plans for new additions to our first-team backroom staff, and this presents an exciting opportunity for us to continue to evolve things.

“Now that the deal is officially complete, we’ll finalise that process with external candidates and make an announcement in the near future. During the interim period, the roles and responsibilities will be picked up by our existing staff across our first team and academy operations.”

All at Norwich wish Narcís, Paul and Harrison well with their new club.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Here’s how fans reacted as Narcis Pelach gives his first sit-down interview on becoming new Stoke head coach…

Kofi Otabil: Best to him and the team

Jamie Donohue: This guy will take us back to us back to the glory days, I’m absolutely sure about it!!!! UTMP

M Tim Willis: He likes playing 4 3 3 very strict routine too hope he get the team playing the football too progress up the table where we belong

Robert David Saxon Najs: Big gamble by Walters his job on the line & I expect higher expectations than before top 10 minimum good luck though hope it’s a huge success 🤞🏻

Darren Smallwood: Good luck and all the best Narcís hope success is on the horizon , what with Walters , Whitehead and Shawcross high up on the staff it’s like getting the band back together. UTP

Mick Johnson: Don’t you think the club should tell us why Schumacher was sacked you don’t just sack someone for losing the odd game plenty of rumours out there been treated disgraceful in my opinion then two days later you sign a manager with no experience at all something stinks. Good luck to the new guy but knowing Walters and Coates if we arnt top they’ll get rid of him too

James Langton:
1 2 3 4
NARCIS PELACH
NARCIS PELACH
He eats pealla
drinks estralla
he loves the city 🔴⚪

Chris Miller: Great to see the club looking left field instead of some other bang average British manager

Dave Taylor: Welcome to the club mate, just hope the owners give you time because Schumacher I always liked I’d be lying if I said otherwise and I would have definitely given him more time he would have got it right in the end 7 wins out of last 10 games proves this.

Jake Wilshaw: Incoming: Stokelona 2.0 🇪🇸

Darren Williams: Actually it’s great to see we’ve hired a foreign manager. And even better when he speaks. Well let’s hope you can do what your saying you want and the players respond to that. Gl at stoke and I hope you bring us some stability firstly and hopefully success over time. 👏 👏

Matt Holland: Wish him all the best,lets get the place rocking Friday night for him

Charlotte Hughes: Let’s all just have his back and see what happens

Stephen Spillane: I’m confident that those man will get this team playing decent football ⚽️ 👏