Stoke City Sack Narcis Pelach After Just 19 Games in Charge

Stoke City dismiss head coach Narcis Pelach after just 19 games in charge, citing poor fit.
The Potters sit 19th in the Championship, with only three wins under Pelach’s tenure.
Sporting director Jon Walters accepts responsibility for the appointment and team’s struggles.

Stoke City have parted ways with head coach Narcis Pelach after just 19 games in charge, citing the Catalan was “not the right fit” for the club.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Pelach, who succeeded Steven Schumacher on 18 September with a three-year contract, managed only three wins in the Championship. The most recent victory came on 6 November, leaving the Potters in 19th place in the league table.

The decision follows a 2-0 defeat to Leeds United on Boxing Day, during which the 36-year-old faced criticism for frequent tactical changes.

In a statement, sporting director Jon Walters took responsibility for both the appointment and Pelach’s struggles to improve the team’s performance.

EDITOR’S PICKS

“However, with the way results and performances have been in recent weeks, we have to accept with hindsight that he has proved not to be the right fit for this club at this time.

“I take full responsibility for that and I’m absolutely determined that we will now make the right choice to take us forward.

“Every decision we make is driven by our love of Stoke City and absolute determination to bring success to the club.”

Narcis Pelach was the first managerial appointment by former Stoke striker Jon Walters since he became the club’s sporting director earlier this year.

Since their relegation from the Premier League in May 2018, Stoke City have struggled to regain their footing, never finishing higher than 14th in the Championship.

Pelach was the club’s sixth permanent manager in six-and-a-half years, following Gary Rowett, Nathan Jones, Michael O’Neill, Alex Neil, and Steven Schumacher. His dismissal marks Stoke’s third managerial sacking in just 12 months.

Although Pelach initially showed promise, rebounding from two early defeats to oversee a 6-1 thrashing of Portsmouth and losing just one of the next nine league games, results sharply declined. With five defeats in their last six matches, the Potters opted for a change ahead of the January transfer window.

“Narcis has our thanks for his around-the-clock endeavours during his time with the club,” added chair John Coates.