Stoke City have dismissed head coach Narcis Pelach just 19 matches into his tenure, with the club languishing in 19th place in the Championship.
The decision comes on the back of a dismal Boxing Day 2-0 defeat to Leeds United and a run of five losses in their last six games.
Stoke City Boss Narcis Pelach Sacked
Pelach, appointed in September on a three-year deal, was Stoke’s sixth permanent manager in six-and-a-half years. Despite some early promise, including a 6-1 thrashing of Portsmouth and a solid run of one loss in nine, the team’s form has dramatically nosedived since November. Sporting director Jon Walters took full responsibility for the appointment and Pelach’s subsequent failure to rejuvenate the club.
“Narcis is a talented coach with huge potential,” Walters said. “He works relentlessly hard, and I have no doubt he will achieve success in the future. However, with the way results and performances have been, we have to accept with hindsight that he has proved not to be the right fit for this club at this time.”
Chairman John Coates echoed these sentiments, thanking Pelach for his dedication and efforts during his brief stint at the helm.
The sacking further highlights Stoke’s struggles since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. The Potters have failed to finish higher than 14th in the Championship since, and Pelach’s dismissal marks the third managerial change in the past 12 months.
Ryan Shawcross Takes Temporary Charge
Club legend Ryan Shawcross has been appointed caretaker manager, tasked with stabilising the team until a permanent replacement is found. Shawcross, who made over 450 appearances for the Potters, has been working with the club’s under-21 side since returning from a brief spell at Inter Miami.
Assisted by under-21 head coach Alex Morris and other backroom staff, Shawcross will oversee Stoke’s next matches, starting with a challenging fixture against Sunderland on Sunday, followed by a trip to Burnley on New Year’s Day. The January transfer window looms large, and the club faces mounting pressure to secure reinforcements for their struggling squad.
Meanwhile, further shakeups behind the scenes include the departures of goalkeeping coach Paul Clements and performance analyst Harrison Glew.
Writer’s View
Stoke City’s managerial merry-go-round continues to hinder progress, with Pelach’s tenure another example of the instability plaguing the club. While Ryan Shawcross is a fan favourite, his inexperience at senior management level raises questions about whether he can steer the team forward in the interim. The club’s January recruitment strategy will be critical, but a long-term vision and patience with the next appointment are paramount if Stoke are to regain their former stature.
