Stoke appoint Norwich coach Pelach as new manager

Stoke City have appointed Norwich City coach Narcis Pelach as their new manager on a three-year contract.

The 36-year-old Catalan succeeds Steven Schumacher following his shock sacking on Monday after just nine months in charge.

Pelach, from Girona, has worked in English football for four years, first under fellow Spaniard Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield Town and then for the past 16 months under David Wagner and his replacement Johannes Hoff Thorup at Carrow Road.

He will be joined by three new backroom men - coaches Dean Whitehead, the former Stoke midfielder, and Paul Clements, as well as performance analyst Harrison Glew.

Pelach's first game in charge will be Friday's home meeting with Hull City.

“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.

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

Prior to coming to England, Pelach worked with UE Figueres, CF Peralada and home-town club Girona.

“Having been a head coach in Spain from the age of 25, it was always something Narcis was going to get back to," said former Stoke striker Walters. "He has been patient about selecting the right opportunity."

Since Mark Hughes was sacked in January 2018 and Paul Lambert took over but failed to prevent the Potters being relegated from the Premier League, the club has now made six new managerial appointments.

Pelach will follow Gary Rowett, Nathan Jones, Michael O'Neill, Alex Neil and Schumacher as Stoke's sixth manager or head coach in the Championship.

He joins Corberan, now with early Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion, and Unai Emery at Aston Villa as the third Spanish boss in Midlands football.

"It's a big gamble for sporting director Jon Walters, so immediately results and performances will be scrutinised.

"The two things Stoke City need more than anything are stability and continuity, which they have severely lacked since relegation from the Premier League in 2018.

"The club have to find the right strategy both on and off the pitch sooner rather than later. It’s a worry when the first thought about a new Stoke City boss is 'how long will he last?'

After six managers in six years, Stoke fans will be hoping that this is the appointment that finally works."

Matt Sandoz - BBC Radio Stoke sports editor