Stoke City have appointed Norwich City coach Narcis Pelach as their new manager on a three-year deal.
The 36-year-old Catalan takes over from Steven Schumacher, who was unexpectedly dismissed on Monday after just nine months in charge.
Pelach, originally from Girona, has spent the last four years working in English football, first alongside fellow Spaniard Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield Town, and more recently at Norwich City under David Wagner and his successor Johannes Hoff Thorup.
Pelach will be supported by three new staff members: coaches Dean Whitehead and Paul Clements, and performance analyst Harrison Glew.
Whitehead, a former Stoke midfielder, leaves Barnsley after two months to return to the club, while Clements, previously Norwich’s goalkeeping coach, will reunite with Pelach.
Pelach’s first match in charge will be on Friday, when the Potters, currently 13th in the Championship after losing three of their five league games this season, face winless Hull City.
“I’ve had other chances to become a head coach in England and in other countries,” said Pelach. “But 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.
“I feel a great excitement and sense of responsibility to Stoke City and can’t thank (chairman) John Coates and (tehnical director) Jon Walters enough for giving me this opportunity. 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.”
Prior to coming to England, Pelach worked with UE Figueres, CF Peralada and hometown club Girona.
“Across the extensive dialogue I’ve had across football, including at the highest levels of the game, Narcis is one of the most respected and sought-after coaches around,” said Stoke technical director Jonathan Walters, the former Potters striker.
“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 Narcis was going to get back to. He has been patient about selecting the right opportunity.”
Since Mark Hughes was dismissed in January 2018, with Paul Lambert unable to prevent Stoke City’s relegation from the Premier League, the club has now made six managerial appointments.
Narcis Pelach follows in the footsteps of Gary Rowett, Nathan Jones, Michael O’Neill, Alex Neil, and Steven Schumacher, becoming Stoke’s sixth manager or head coach in the Championship.
Pelach also joins Carlos Corberan, now managing early Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion, and Unai Emery at Aston Villa, as the third Spanish manager in Midlands football.