After leaving Norwich City to take the helm at Stoke City, Narcis Pelach sent an emotional farewell message to the team.
Pelach had moved from Huddersfield Town to join David Wagner’s backroom staff last summer, and he had been a first-team coach at Carrow Road for the past year.
The 36-year-old was crucial to Norwich’s run to the Championship play-offs last season, where Leeds United defeated them in the semi-finals. Following Wagner’s dismissal in May, he stayed on the team to assist newly appointed head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.
Pelach, though, has now left to assume his first managerial position in English football at the bet365 Stadium. He will take over for Steven Schumacher, who was unexpectedly fired on Monday following just five games of the season.
Paul Clements, the goalkeeping coach for the Canaries, and Harrison Glew, the performance analyst, will be joining Pelach at Stoke. The Spaniard will lead the Potters for the first time when they play Hull City on Friday night.
Narcis Pelach’s goodbye speech from Norwich City
Pelach used social media to say goodbye to Norwich when it was reported that he had been appointed head coach of Stoke. He reflected on his time at Carrow Road and thanked the team and supporters for their support.
Pelach posted on X, “Today, my time at a wonderful club has come to an end.”
“A good, kind, and hard-working club full of people.”
It’s been a pleasure to be here, and I’m thankful to have met so many wonderful people, had another playoff experience, and been a part of it.
“I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their kindness and treatment of me.
“I wish you all the best, good luck and above all, thank you very much.”
Speaking on his choice to become a Potter, Pelach acknowledged that he had been approached by several English and foreign teams to take over as manager, but he felt that the chance to take over at the bet365 Stadium was too excellent to pass up.
Pelach stated on the team’s official website, “I can’t thank John Coates and Jon Walters enough for giving me this opportunity. I feel a great sense of excitement and responsibility to Stoke City.”
“I’ve had further opportunities to work as a head coach in England and other nations. But as I saw the enthusiasm with which they embraced the Club and the desire to adopt a new identity and philosophy in their eyes, I was unable to resist and, once I’m in, I’m in.
“I am familiar with the league, the opposition, and our players.” The squad performs at a high level. I have faith in them, and I’ll develop a style of play that highlights their best attributes.
The training program will be altered, players and coaches will face numerous challenges, and every day will be intense and uncomfortable at times.
“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.”
Similar to Norwich, Stoke has had a patchy start to the season, and right now in the Championship standings, Pelach’s new team and his previous employers are separated by just two spots.
Narcis Pelach may regret moving to Norwich City from Stoke City.
While it is undoubtedly a significant risk, Pelach is an intriguing addition for Stoke and may end up being a great decision.
Pelach is obviously a very highly regarded coach, and his experiences at Norwich and Huddersfield under great coaches like Wagner, Carlos Corberan, and Neil Warnock will have given him invaluable experience.
In light of Thorup’s early setbacks, the Canaries may come to regret not offering Pelach the chance to assume the top job at Carrow Road following Wagner’s departure if he is successful at the bet365 Stadium.
Though he has faced distracting transfer rumours for the most of his tenure, Thorup has only won two of his first seven games in charge across all competitions. As a result, Norwich might be left wondering if Pelach was a better choice.
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