Stoke City have parted ways with head coach Narcis Pelach after just 19 games, citing the Catalan as “not the right fit” for the club.
Appointed on 18 September to replace Steven Schumacher, Pelach signed a three-year deal but managed only three Championship victories, with the most recent win on 6 November. Stoke currently sit 19th in the table.
The decision follows a 2-0 defeat to Leeds United on Boxing Day, where the 36-year-old faced criticism for frequent tactical changes.
Former Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross will serve as caretaker manager for Sunday’s home game against Sunderland, supported by Alex Morris, Dean Whitehead, and Darren Behcet from the backroom staff. Goalkeeper coach Paul Clements and performance analyst Harrison Glew have also departed.
Pelach had brought Whitehead and Clements into his coaching team upon his appointment in September. In a statement, Stoke’s sporting director Jon Walters accepted responsibility for both the appointment and Pelach’s inability to improve the team’s performance.
“Narcis is a talented coach with huge potential,” said Walters. “He works relentlessly hard and I have no doubt that he will go on to achieve success in the future.
“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 has our thanks for his around-the-clock endeavours during his time with the club,” added chair John Coates. “He is a great person and a talented coach with a relentless work ethic and a bright future.
“He departs Stoke City with my very best wishes. I would also like to thank our fans for the outstanding way they got behind the team against Leeds United on Boxing Day, and for their continuing and unwavering support.”
Narcis Pelach was the first managerial appointment made by former Stoke striker Jon Walters since assuming the role of sporting director earlier this year.
Stoke, relegated from the Premier League in May 2018, have struggled to find stability, finishing no higher than 14th in the Championship. Pelach became the club’s sixth permanent head coach 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 within the past 12 months.
After losing his first two games, Pelach oversaw a promising run, including a 6-1 demolition of Portsmouth and just one defeat in the next nine league matches. However, results declined sharply from late November, with five losses in the last six games. His dismissal comes as the club prepares for the January transfer window.