Jon Walters takes 'full responsibility' as Stoke City sack Narcis Pelach
Stoke City have parted company with head coach Narcis Pelach after a run of nine games without a win.
The final straw came with the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat at the hands of league leaders Leeds United, but in truth the writing had been on the wall for the 36-year-old Spaniard for some time now.
He had only been at Stoke since September after being brought in from Norwich City, where he was first-team coach, to replace the sacked Steven Schumacher.
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In a statement issued by the club this evening, Sporting Director Jon Walters said: “Narcís is a talented coach with huge potential, 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.”
Potters chairman and club owner John Coates added: “Narcís has our thanks for his around-the-clock endeavours during his time with the Club.
“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.”
Stoke host Sunderland at 3pm on Sunday, but just who will be in charge of the team remains to be seen. Youth coach Ryan Shawcross was interim boss before Pelach was brought in after the dismissal of Schumacher.
The club added: “Further information regarding the make-up of the coaching team for Sunday’s fixture against Sunderland will be shared in due course.”
