Statement issued as Mark Robins becomes the new manager of Stoke City

Stoke City have issued a statement as Mark Robins becomes the new manager of the club, as replacement for Narcis Pelach.

Robins, who previously had a successful tenure at Coventry City, has now signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Potters.

This move comes after the sacking of Narcis Pelach, making Robins the ninth manager to take charge at Stoke since the start of 2018.

His appointment is seen as a strategic choice to bring stability and experience to the team, especially given his track record of leading Coventry from League Two to challenging for a place in the Premier League.

Robins is expected to be in the stands for the match against Burnley on New Year’s Day, with his first game in charge being against Plymouth Argyle at the bet365 Stadium.

Stoke currently sit 18th in the Championship table with 25 points from 24 games played, 4 points above the drop zone.

The warmest of Stoke City welcomes to our new Manager, Mark Robins.

Mark will take over following the conclusion of today’s match against Burnley, for which Ryan Shawcross remains in caretaker charge.

Reaction and full story 👇

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) January 1, 2025

CLUB STATEMENT:

– 55-year-old joins on three-and-a-half year contract
– Paul Nevin and James Rowberry join as Assistant Managers
– Robins arrives in ST4 after successful seven years with Coventry City

Mark Robins has been appointed Manager of Stoke City on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The 55-year-old will be in the dugout for the first time against Plymouth Argyle at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, with Ryan Shawcross continuing as caretaker at Burnley today.

Reporting to Sporting Director Jon Walters, the new appointment arrives in ST4 after overseeing a dynasty of success over seven years with Coventry City.

The Sky Blues won the EFL Trophy, were promoted on two occasions, reached the 2023 Championship Playoff Final and reached the semi-final of last season’s FA Cup, all under Robins’ stewardship.

Paul Nevin and James Rowberry, currently England Under 20s and Wales senior team’s Assistant Coach respectively, have joined as Assistant Managers.

Walters said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark, Paul and James to the Stoke City family.

“At Coventry, Mark built something successful with a real identity and longevity and he left the Club in a significantly better place than he found it.

“That’s exactly what we want to achieve at Stoke City, and he has all the pedigree and experience to help us do that.

“With a record like that behind him, Mark was always going to be in great demand, so we’re delighted that he sees an exciting opportunity to build something special in the Potteries.

“Welcoming two Assistant Managers of such calibre and with such innovative and progressive mindsets in Paul and James is another important part of how we will seek to progress and grow.

“The immediate mission is to climb as high as we can up the Championship table during the second half of this season, whilst also laying foundations for a long-term successful future for our club.”

Chair John Coates added: “With the proven track record Mark brings to the role, I believe this is a genuinely exciting moment for Stoke City.

“The recent win over Sunderland, with the way the team competed on the field and connected with the fans, gave everyone a huge boost and provided a glimpse of what can be created at our club.

“Ryan Shawcross has the sincere thanks of us all for the diligent and inspiring way he has taken to being in caretaker charge.

“We all remain right behind him for this afternoon’s match against Burnley and look forward to his sterling work within our Academy continuing once Mark takes the first team reins.”

Here’s how fans reacted as a statement is issued on Mark Robins who becomes the new manager of Stoke City…

@bavpanchal: He’s not a manager, hes a genuine messiah. All the best Prof Mark. #PUSB

@MarkMorrison94: Good luck robins. Apart from 8th March 🩵

@NECKER_CHIEF11: Finally!! Stoke get it right!! Mark is a superb Manager…..I’ve worked with James & Paul in the past…Great coaches!! They all have experience, that’s the key.

@rokerroarontour: 3 games in about 6 weeks vs Stoke and 3 different managers. Cant see that happening too many times before.

@jongaunt: Great appointment Mark is really missed at Coventry

@mikeseat: Give him time and you’ll have the time of your lives. Stop the revolving door now. Good luck to Mark.

@Hayleyscfc1991: Manager and not coach. That can only be a good thing. Welcome Mark. Hope your ready for the rollercoaster

@TomBrindley16: Great appointment, though we the fans have got to see this as a long term project. We know some of the squad isn’t good enough but let’s get behind them! #SCFC

@ccfcmike1982: Mark gave me some of the best moments of my sporting life, he dragged our club up off it’s arse and made us a force again. I genuinely would love to see him achieve promotion with you, wish it could have been us. Give him time and he will give you memories. Good luck Mark.

@FiskRobbie: Great appointment for them! Great to see him back in the game so quickly. Best of luck Mark.

@michaelrenwick_: Good luck to him. When he comes to us on the 8th March I’m all for singing his song pre match and after the match to give him the thanks he rightly deserves. However during it we back our team and our manager. Let’s not sing the name of the opposition manager mid game #PUSB #SBA

@ROBANDTHEMOB: Awesome that JC has acted so swiftly and decisively to appoint the best candidate 🙌 To refer to him as the new Manager, and not a Head Coach, is t an admission of defeat, but a recognition of the club history and successes under former managers Waddo and TP. 👏

@LukeHiggins: I really do feel we’ve got the right man in the door this time, but that will depend on the patience of the owners & fans. We’ve given him 3 and a 1/2 yrs and we need to let him honour it and rebuild the club gradually, his success at Coventry was built on stability. COYMP 👊🔴⚪