Stoke City identify Narcis Pelach as preferred Steven Schumacher replacement?

The Potters have started the new Championship campaign by accumulating six points from their opening five fixtures, as well as reaching the EFL Cup third round.

Nevertheless, on Monday morning, the Staffordshire outfit announced that they had parted ways with head coach Schumacher, despite 13 wins coming from his 32 matches in charge.

Sporting director Jonathan Walters revealed that the club's hierarchy had opted to go in a different direction to give themselves the best chance of long-term success.

Reacting to the development, the response has been largely negative from Stoke's fanbase, yet it appears that they already know who their club have identified as their preferred new head coach.

Stoke look to Championship rivals

As per John Percy of The Telegraph, who was commenting on X, Stoke want to bring in Norwich City coach Pelach as soon as possible.

Since May 2023, the Spaniard has been on the Canaries coaching staff, remaining in his position even when David Wagner was sacked at the end of last season.

The 36-year-old is currently working under Johannes Hoff Thorup with Norwich currently sitting below Stoke in the Championship standings.

However, Norwich have allegedly already granted permission for Pelach to hold discussions with Stoke, the expectation seemingly being that he will now make the progression into his first senior role in the dugout.

Stoke have already placed Alex Morris and Ryan Shawcross in caretaker charge for the EFL Cup tie with Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, the next Championship fixture not coming until September 20 against Hull.

A break in tradition for Stoke?

Pelach is no stranger to English football having held an assistant manager role at Huddersfield Town as far back as 2020 and spending two brief periods in interim charge.

From Stoke's perspective, though, as many as 22 years have come and gone since they last had a manager from outside the United Kingdom and Ireland at the helm.

Schumacher has left his position with the best win percentage of any permanent boss during that time, albeit with Tony Pulis's two stints being hugely successful at the time.