Update Emerges Regarding Blackpool Target

Narcís Pèlach, who was one of the leading contenders for Blackpool’s head coach vacancy looks set to join Norwich’s managerial team, according to The Gazette (Blackpool).

The Spaniard was once heavily linked with the Blackpool job, however, it is looking more and more likely that he will join up with David Wagner at Norwich City. Pèlach was originally brought into the coaching set-up by Carlos Corberán at Huddersfield but it seems as if the Spaniard may be on his way out of Yorkshire, in what will be a big summer rebuild for The Terriers. He has been appointed interim manager at the Yorkshire club twice, winning one of his three games in charge.

Norwich will be looking to strengthen for the forthcoming season with Pèlach coming in to help bolster the coaching set-up at the East-Anglian club. This comes after a severely disappointing campaign which saw The Canaries finish 13th in the league, just a year after being relegated from the Premiership. Wagner came to power in earlier January to try and steady the ship after a poor start to the season under former manager Dean Smith. In Wagner’s 21 games in charge, he registered; seven wins, five draws and nine losses. Norwich will no doubt be looking to improve on these numbers as they look to propel themselves back into the top flight.

As for Blackpool, they still remain manager-less following Mick McCarthy’s departure in April. Stephen Dobbie took over the reins as interim manager for the rest of the season and is currently one of the favourites for the next permanent manager job at Blackpool. Although still being relegated under Dobbie, The Tangerines did improve but it was not enough as they go back into the third tier for the first time since 2021. Former manager Gary Bowyer is another rumoured for the job having tasted success with Dundee, winning the Scottish Championship this season. Bowyer however left Dundee just a few days after winning the Championship and with Blackpool manager-less, a return may be imminent.

Who is Narcís Pèlach?

Having never made it past the Spanish 4th tier as a player the Spaniard retired in 2016 at just 26 years of age. Having managed Spanish minnows Figueres and Peralada, Pèlach took a step up when becoming assistant manager of then second-tier side Girona FC before eventually making the move across the continent to the UK. In his first season as Corberán’s number two, Pèlach became a key member of the managerial team. The 2021/22 season was marked with great success with The Terriers finishing third but missed out on advancing to the top flight having lost 1-0 in the play-off final against Nottingham Forest. Following Corberán’s departure he was promoted to interim manager until Mark Fotheringham took over.

Writer’s view

Pèlach is a more than capable assistant manager and if he does move to Norwich, then that’ll be a huge boost for their coaching staff. It does seem as if he isn’t quite ready for a managerial job in England and learning under Wagner at Norwich will help both nurture and improve him for the long run. At just 34 years of age he is still incredibly young for a manager and learning from managers who have been there and done it will no doubt be a great benefit. As for Blackpool, they may be looking for someone with a bit more Football League managerial experience in their quest for a return to the second tier.

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