Norwich City coach Narcis Pelach appointed Stoke boss

The Spaniard has signed a three-year deal to succeed Steven Schumacher as boss at the Bet365 Stadium in his first full managerial posting in England. 

City duo Paul Clements and Harrison Glew have joined Pelach’s coaching staff after the two clubs agreed a compensation package on Monday to give Pelach the green light to finalise his move to the Potteries. 

Norwich’s search for permanent first-team and goalkeeper coaches are well underway with targets having been identified. Sporting director Ben Knapper is leading a search that is unlikely to be complete before Saturday’s clash with Watford at Carrow Road. 

Former Canaries goalkeeper Declan Rudd will join Johannes Hoff Thorup's coaching team on an interim basis whilst a successor is sought for Clements. 

Pelach, Glew and Clements were all in attendance for Stoke’s penalty shootout win over League Two side Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night ahead of an official announcement, which arrived on Tuesday. 

The Spaniard joined City from Huddersfield Town as a club appointment under David Wagner last summer as first-team coach along with Clements. Glew joined the Canaries in October 2023 having worked at Huddersfield with the pair. 

Paul Clements (right) has also made the move to join Stoke City. (Image: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd) Pelach was chiefly tasked with opposition analysis and worked closely with City's defensive set-up under Wagner last season, but that did shift to a different role under Johannes Hoff Thorup in recent weeks. 

Clements succeeded Ed Wootten at Carrow Road last summer and was credited by Angus Gunn with elevating his game to a higher level in his journey to becoming City's number one. 

Knapper paid tribute to the departing members of staff, and confirmed City were continuing their work to appoint external successors. 

“We wish Narcís, Paul and Harrison all the very best in their new challenge. Understandably, when this opportunity presented itself, there was a desire from Narcís to explore it further," Knapper told club channels.

“I know from speaking to all three of the guys during my time with the club, they are all extremely grateful and thankful for the opportunity afforded to them here at Norwich City.

“We’ve already progressed with some of our plans for new additions to our first-team backroom staff, and this presents an exciting opportunity for us to continue to evolve things.

“Now that the deal is officially complete, we’ll finalise that process with external candidates and make an announcement in the near future. During the interim period, the roles and responsibilities will be picked up by our existing staff across our first team and academy operations.”

Pelach expressed his delight and gratitude at being handed the opportunity to step into a management role for the first time in England. 

“I feel a great excitement and sense of responsibility to Stoke City and can’t thank John Coates and Jon Walters enough for giving me this opportunity," Pelach told their club channels.

“I’ve had other chances to become a head coach in England and in other countries. But 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.

“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.

“The methodology will be different, the training will be intense every day, sometimes it won’t be comfortable and players and coaches will be challenged a lot.

“But, if we get it right and do something together that owners, players, supporters and staff emotionally believe in, there are no limits to what we can achieve.”

Stoke sporting director Jon Walters believes the club have acquired one of the best young coaches around and has explained why they made a move to hire Pelach after dismissing Schumacher earlier this week. 

“Across the extensive dialogue I’ve had across football, including at the highest levels of the game, Narcís is one of the most respected and sought-after coaches around," the former Ipswich winger said. 

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

Narcis Pelach also worked under David Wagner at Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
 
“Having been a Head Coach in Spain from the age of 25, it was always something Narcís was going to get back to, and he has been patient about selecting the right opportunity.

“We are delighted that – after talking to John (Coates) and myself – Narcís was excited by the opportunity to represent a club with a talented young squad, a passionate fanbase and ambitious plans for the future.

“There is no doubt in our minds that Narcís will enjoy a successful career as a Head Coach and are excited to give him the opportunity to make that a reality at Stoke City.”