Stoke City boss 'feeling the support' of Jon Walters and John Coates
Narcis Pelach has been given the support of John Coates and Jon Walters this week as he insists he has the energy and belief to turn things around at Stoke City.
Pelach knows that, ultimately, his future as head coach will be dictated by events but, for as long as he is in charge, he will have the full backing of Stoke’s hierarchy.
He goes into a home game against Leeds United tonight (8pm) hoping to end an eight-game winless run that has seen pressure build, demanding a fighting performance that will give supporters something to hold onto.
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“I had a long conversation with John Coates (on Monday), another one with Jon Walters and I’m feeling their support,” he said. “They are right next to me. They believe in what we want to do. Of course it’s a question you really need to ask them but that’s how they’re making me feel – that they believe in this different project that they want to build.
“I know my appointment was different to what Stoke City has been doing in the past long years and I think they believe in it. It’s a question for them because I know it’s football but I feel the support of John Coates and I feel the support of Jon Walters.”
He added: “One hundred per cent yes (I want this job). I have a lot of energy, the same as I had the first day. I’m strong with this. Some managers might start to give up a little bit but it is not the case here, I want to be at Stoke City, I believe in everything I’ve said. I know now is not an easy moment but we need to fight and get through it. I have the respect and the belief of the changing room, which is the most important thing.
“We need to get through this bad moment and then we can be talking about another thing. I have seen it, I think six times in my life already, and I know that things can change very quickly.”
Pelach was appointed just over three months ago for his first head coach position in England, trying to implement a new approach and end Stoke’s long prison sentence in the wrong half of the Championship.
He understood that it would not be straightforward, particularly at the start, but he said: “I’ve had difficult situations as a coach and as a number one as well back in Spain, in the third tier and in the fourth tier, when I was the youngest coach in the country. It was difficult because I was 26 at the time and in the third tier from Spain you still feel pressure. I have been in difficult moments but I’ve always had the dressing room with me and that’s something that’s really valuable and brings me energy. I know it can change and in the experiences I have had it has changed.
“As a number two at Huddersfield in 2020 we were in a very bad run and with Carlos Corberan we didn’t win a game for a long period and everyone was asking for us to go and for us to leave. But the club was patient, the club maintained us in charge and we finished not very well but the next season we got to Wembley.
“At Norwich last season we were 13th in the league after Christmas, we were (on a really bad run) and people were asking for us to leave. But we finished in the play-offs.
“I know it can change but you need to believe you can change it, you need to be strong, you need to put yourself out there, you need to of course improve all the things you are doing wrong – and trust me, I am reviewing everything we do one time, a second time, a third time. I’m really aware of lots of things and I have all the staff around me helping to try to find solutions.
“There are things I cannot control but I will do everything I can. I’m not a coach who will give up, this is not for me. I’m not going to be scared of anything and I want my team to follow me. It is very challenging and we have three very difficult games but it’s football, the most important thing is that we all believe – as players and staff. The other things we can’t control.
“I’m not going to lie. I don’t feel sorry for myself. I want to go for it.”
