Narcis Pelach Opens Up on ‘Pressure’ and Stoke City Exit

Narcis Pelach Opens Up on ‘Pressure’ and Stoke City Exit
The Spanish coach is now working with Graham Potter at West Ham United after a difficult season

Narcis Pelach has broken his silence on a challenging spell in charge of Stoke City, describing the intense pressure and disappointment that surrounded his short-lived tenure at the Bet365 Stadium.

The 36-year-old Spaniard was appointed in September 2024, replacing Steven Schumacher, and signed a three-year deal with the promise of leading Stoke into a new era of progressive football. Touted as a bright coaching prospect with a strong tactical background from his time in England and Spain, Pelach’s arrival was met with cautious optimism by supporters hoping for stability and a fresh direction.

However, the reality of Championship football quickly tested his credentials. Stoke City managed just three wins in 19 matches under his leadership. Poor results, inconsistency in performance, and growing fan unrest saw the Potters slip alarmingly close to the relegation zone. The final straw came in February, when a lifeless 2-0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town prompted the board to act. Pelach was dismissed, with the club sitting precariously in 19th place.

In his first public comments since his dismissal, Pelach admitted the experience had been both humbling and intense. “Of course, there was pressure. You feel it every day – from the supporters, the players, the expectations of the board,” he said. “But I accepted this when I came to Stoke. It’s part of the job, and it’s something I don’t shy away from.”

Despite the difficult results, Pelach insisted he left the club with no bitterness and reflected on the learning curve he experienced. “I gave everything in my time at Stoke. I wanted to bring something fresh, a new identity to the team. But sometimes things don’t connect the way you hope. That’s football,” he added. “Still, I take a lot of lessons with me – about communication, about the pace of the Championship, and about resilience.”

Following his exit, Stoke turned to veteran boss Mark Robins, who successfully steered the club to safety on the final day of the season. The Potters avoided the drop by a narrow margin, securing a vital point at QPR to stay afloat.

Now, Pelach has returned to top-level football as a member of Graham Potter’s coaching staff at West Ham United. The opportunity to work under Potter – a manager widely respected for his tactical nuance and man-management – has offered him a fresh start in the Premier League.

“It’s a privilege to be working with Graham and this group of players,” said Pelach. “The environment is different, the expectations are high, but I’m motivated again. My time at Stoke wasn’t a failure, it was an education. And I’ll use it to be better moving forward.”

As Stoke City now look ahead under Robins with hopes of a more stable campaign, Pelach is focused on rediscovering his confidence and building his career again—this time away from the intense spotlight of Championship survival battles.

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