Pelach changing Stoke's "culture, standards & style"

Narcis Pelach was still pleased with how Stoke played for the first 35 minutes against Hull City in his first game in charge - despite going on to lose 3-1

New Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach says his approach to managing the Championship club is all about "changing their culture, standards and style of play".

The former Norwich City number two got off to a bad start in his first game in charge when his side surrendered a one-goal half-time lead to lose 3-1 at home to Hull City last Friday night.

But the 36-year-old Catalan is already pleased with what he has seen - he just wants to see the Potters play at the top of their game for a lot longer.

Ahead of Saturday's Championship trip to Middlesbrough, where Stoke have already won this season - 5-0 in the League Cup under previous boss Steven Schumacher in August - Pelach said: "What I want the fans to see is what they saw in the first 35 minutes last Friday night.

"To be very organised defensively but also to be aggressive and on the front foot.

"It's about changing the culture, changing the standards and changing the style at this club."

Pelach was a surprise appointment when he came in to succeed Schumacher on 18 September - to become the Potters' sixth permanent boss since being relegated from the Premier League in May 2024.

Of those five previous Potters managers, three of them had less than a year - Gary Rowett (232 days), Nathan Jones (297 days) and Schumacher (272 days), while Alex Neil had only 15 months and, although Michael O'Neill lasted from November 2019 until August 2022, that included half of it behind close doors during the Covid pandemic.

But Stoke technical director Jon Walters, officially appointed in April, wanted his own man in - and the greatest gift he has now given to Pelach is time.

"It is going to take time to build what I want," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke.

"But the players are really excited about what we are trying to do.

"We lack a bit of experience in the squad, but this is a process we need to work at and stay calm about - and then the other things will come.

"There are some nice lads in the team and the dressing room is very good."

Pelach has already made an impact behind the scenes, making a lot of day-to-day changes - but the bottom line is the way he wants his players to play and the pace they play at.

"I want to see a passionate, energetic team. But it's not just about running, it's about having an understanding of how to play.

"I want to see us going high, trying to press players and making things happen. But last week, we just couldn't sustain the energy."

Stoke have already won at Saturday's hosts Middlesbrough this season, Emre Tezgel's early goal setting them on course for a 5-0 League Cup victory in late August