Stoke City

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Stoke City's new Head Coach, Narcís Pèlach has said he will bring a Spanish influence to the Potters and that his team will reflect his own passion and determination.

These are just some of the comments you sent to us about his appointment.

Ken - Why would Pèlach take the job? Look how the club have treated Schumacher and others.

Gill - I think they should have kept Schumacher, club needs stability and he's proved himself with success at Plymouth.

Andrew- The club has once again employed a young coach with a few years experience in English football. Stoke fans will hope the club have now picked a young manager who will hopefully bring the club a successful season.

Chris - We have a lot to thank the Coates family for but the installation of John Coates running the club is an ongoing disaster. His football knowledge is non-existent and this is proven without doubt as we have a ‘Watford style’ manager recruitment. Total disaster in charge of the club.

Dave - I think we will keep changing until we find our very own Pep.

Batesy - When you look at Shumacher's record of 39pts from 28 games then we are in a similar place to where we were under most of the previous managers, however in context of virtually two team rebuilds he has done a decent job and deserved time to make it work. Jon Walters has rolled his dice very early and must be confident in his choice.

Rob - Can't understand the logic of getting rid of Schumacher only to bring in another unproven manager. We need a manager with a proven track record, these appointments are to me a knee-jerk reaction and smack of desperation. We're getting to the point, with the managers being dismissed, of the job being labelled a poisoned chalice.

David - He will be sacked by end of November.

Tom - It was a hasty sacking given they backed Schumacher in the summer, let's see if Narcís Pèlach can make it past a 12 month probation period, very few Stoke coaches do.

How do you feel about the direction Stoke City have gone in? Let us know here., external

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Stoke City have appointed Narcis Pelach as their new Head Coach. You've had your say on the appointment of the 36-year-old Catalonian coach.

Ian - It's a very brave choice. I feel we will be lucky if we stay up.

John - As a Stoke City fan for over 60 years I have seen the good and bad times. I really don’t understand the timing of the manager's sacking. I thought everything was going well! Can a Spaniard solve or improve Stoke? Whoever takes the job they need to play all of these home grown players because their hearts and passion is what the Club needs.

Franklin - I think it’s the right decision for the right time.

David - Another unproven risk. We need a Moyes type manager to get us steady and safe.....not another shot in the dark. If you are going to give an inexperienced young manager the role then it would have been better to stick with Schuey.

Paul - We need a better quality manager. Stop messing around with head coaches.

Colin - We are looking to take another manager from a club lower down in the Championship. Norwich must be rubbing their hands getting money for a coach they would probably sack anyway.

Callum - We shouldn't of fired Schumacher, and we need to stop hiring managers from other clubs, Coates need to think about it and ask the fans first.

Do you agree? Tell us your thoughts here., external

'Go for it Stoke'

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Narcis Pelach is the front-runner to replace Steven Schumacher as the new head coach of Stoke City. You've been telling us if you think the Spaniard is a good choice.

Robin - This is the biggest risk to date particularly as the others before have not met expectations. I would prefer him as a number two to a proven manager like Graham Potter.

Paul - I think this could be a different type of manager, rather than go for the same old manager who has done well with other clubs, this could work. I hope it works out well. There’s no point getting a Tony Mowbray, Ryan Lowe or Dave Challinor!!! Go for it Stoke.

Richard - A brave appointment if it goes ahead, but they need to just give him time to build his culture and not be as trigger happy as we have since relegation in 2018!

Gary - Massive Gamble, if it goes South Jon Walters needs to walk.

What do you think? Let us know here., external

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Former Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has said he will relish the opportunity to take charge of the team against Fleetwood Town in the League Cup third round.

The 36-year-old will be supported on the side-lines by first team coach Alex Morris following Steven Schumacher's sacking on Monday.

Speaking to the club ahead of their clash against the League Two side, Shawcross said:

“Representing Stoke City in this way means a great deal to me, and I of course carry a huge amount of love and respect for our brilliant fans.

“The work the team has done to reach round three, with young sides overcoming contests against Carlisle United and Middlesbrough, has been impressive – and the prize at stake this evening is significant.”

Shawcross added that he was looking forward to having a familiar face return to the bet365 Stadium as former Potter, Charlie Adam, coaches Fleetwood Town.

“Charlie needs no introduction having represented the Club on 179 occasions between 2012 and 2019.

“His time at the Club corresponded with some of the most successful seasons in our history and I’m sure he will receive a warm welcome back to ST4.

“They will doubtless raise their game for the occasion against Championship opposition, and the team we select will need to be on their mettle if we are to progress in the competition.”

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City have begun the search for Steven Schumacher's replacement and one of the names being heavily tipped to take up the role is Norwich City's first team coach Narcis Pelach.

The Catalonian coach started life in England with Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield Town and from there joined David Wagner at Carrow Road.

Connor Southwell is the Norwich City chief reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. He told BBC Radio Stoke what the Potters could be getting.

"It's viewed as a bit of a shame that he is potentially going because he is highly regarded down here. He worked closely with Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield, Neil Warnock, Mark Fotheringham, David Wagner and Johannes Hoff Thorup who all have radically different styles of play. So in terms of what he is it's a really hard one to call."

As for what type of head coach Stoke could be getting, Southwell added that Pelach is a student of the game.

"What you can say with certainty is that he has exposed himself to a lot of different coaches and a lot of different styles. He should be fairly well versed to coach a lot of different styles, it 's just about which one is his preference.

"He watches a lot of football, he spends time watching teams who are tactically interesting, he's spent a lot of time watching Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton and Hove Albion so I think he is pretty open minded. It'll be really interesting to see, if it goes the way we expect, how he approaches life as a number one."

Is this the direction you want Stoke City to go in? Let us know here., external

We asked you what you thought about the sacking of Stoke City manager Steven Schumacher, this is what you told us.

Ian - This is a weird one! After taking over part way through last season and having to work with what he inherited for a while, he managed to keep them up. He then is backed over the summer. Stoke haven't done badly so far. Then he gets sacked. With Stoke's recent record of sackings this just continues the uncertainty.

David - So I post on the BBC that he needs to go before we enter a relegation battle, and he's gone! Maybe the Stoke board read these messages?

Janner51 - I feel sorry for Schumacher. He reneged on a contract with a superb football club at Argyle and then trusted Stoke! Surely he knew that they have no patience and seemingly no plan.

Chris - A real shock on hearing the news. We are only five games into the season and although Saturday's game was disappointing, I would have given Schumacher until Christmas to see how the new signings worked out!

Kevin - This is a ridiculous decision. We were making progress, slow progress but none the less it was progress. Schumacher was giving us hope and the team were improving. Selling Laurent was a mistake, it didn't help. But this wasn't about what was happening on the pitch, there is more to this. Walters should go, and Coates should sell up.

Andy - Didn’t see that coming. Got to admit that I didn’t see Schumacher lasting the season though, just surprised it’s happened so quick.

Simon - Good he’s not good enough for a club like Stoke. Stop messing around and go and get Potter or Robins. Make them an offer they can’t refuse. Too many mediocre managers have come here. Show some ambition Stoke City. I’ve supported them all my life and will never not.

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'I just can't get my head around this today'

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After Stoke City announced the sacking of Steven Schumacher, you've been having your say.

These are just some of the views that have been sent to BBC Radio Stoke:

Matt - In all fairness I trust Walters and his judgement, let's be honest we've had six years finishing in the bottom half of the Championship he must obviously think another direction is needed to achieve a lot better. Trust the process, after all he galvanised the squad last season and recruitment was good, there are more positives

Sarah - Why do knee-jerk now and appoint a new manager so soon. Why not invite other managers to apply. I just can't get my head around this today. The only disagreement will be around team selection and players in positions. Schuey said himself they'd had an "electric" week training. Then he looked distraught after the game.

Kelvin - I believe in Jon Walters. He has Stoke’s interests at heart. We don’t know why he has done it.

Mick - I know we've been a bit hit and miss, but I must admit it's come as a real shock this quick, after backing him and praising him all summer. They must have a replacement in mind to get in quickly with it being a 2 game week.

What do you think? Let us know here., external

The latest episode of the Stoke City podcast from BBC Radio Stoke is out, reacting to the departure of head coach Steven Schumacher.

Lucas Yeomans, BBC Radio Stoke's Matt Sandoz and Phil Bowers look at what's happened and where Stoke City go next?

Listen here.

This is the first meeting between Oxford and Stoke in any competition since a 1-1 draw in the league in February 2001 at the Manor Ground.

Stoke have never won an away league match against Oxford United in seven attempts (D2 L5), although all these games were played between 1989 and 2001.

Oxford United have won five of their last seven home league games (D1 L1), winning both Championship matches in 2024-25. Within the top two tiers of English football, the U’s have only started a campaign with three home wins in a row in 1972-73 in the second tier.

Stoke City have won five of their last seven league games (L2), winning all five games to nil. The Potters had only won five of their previous 19 games beforehand (D5 L9).

Oxford United’s Mark Harris is looking to become the first player in Championship history (since 2004-05) to score in each of his team’s first five games of a season – only Erling Haaland (20) has scored more goals in 2024 across England’s top four tiers than the Welshman (16).

Following the international break Stoke City' are back in action at Oxford United. Steven Schumacher's side will be hoping for back to back away wins in the League after winning at Plymouth Argyle.

Phil Bowers is back with Praise and Grumble tonight on BBC Radio Stoke at 18:00 BST where you can discuss anything you like about Stoke City.

Call the show to give your thoughts on 0800 121 8080 or listen to it live here.

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher speaks to BBC Radio Stoke about the club's Championship trip to Oxford United and he discusses how the international break has helped new players to settle in.

Stoke City defender Eric Bocat sat down with BBC Radio Stoke's Matt Sandoz and talked about how he's enjoying life at Stoke and playing in the Championship.

What's impressed you about the left-back since he arrived in the summer?

Leave your comments here, external.

Image source, BBC Sport

The latest episode of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night is out now with former Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam.

Lucas and George (AKA Potterlytics) talk to him about his time at Stoke, plus the League Cup third round match against Fleetwood Town, where Charlie is now the manager.

Listen here to the full episode.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Stoke City striker Andy Cooke believes that head coach Steven Schumacher is doing all the right things to build a successful team.

Cooke made more than 100 appearances for Stoke between 2000 and 2003 scoring 23 goals. He was also the Stoke player to score against Oxford United, the club's opponents on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, the 50-year-old says he's been impressed with what Steven Schumacher has done as head coach.

"Supporters just want to see a team with commitment , desire and ambition and when they cross the white line they leave their heart and soul on the pitch.

"If they come off and get beat 1-0 or 2-0 then they can see it. He's trying to create that with a bit of quality and hopefully he's not too far away."

After leaving the Potteries to play abroad, Cooke returned to England two-years later to play for Bradford City where he became team-mates with Steven Schumacher.

"I played with Steven at Bradford quite a few years so I understand what kind of person he is and where he wants to be, he's got a massive task on his hands.

"There are massive clubs in the Championship, teams that are coming down from the Premier League that want to go straight back up and you are constantly competing against that conveyor belt. It's not that easy".

Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke City)

New Stoke City striker, Tom Cannon, has certainly made a good impression after his first few weeks of training.

Having joined on loan from Leicester City on transfer deadline day, Cannon has caught the eye of one of his team-mates.

Defender Eric Bocat told BBC Radio Stoke that the 22-year-old has made an instant impact in training.

"He enjoys to make the effort for the team and run for the team. He's really aggressive when he defends and when he's got the ball he always wants to go forward and score because he is a striker."

Cannon is eager to get going for his new club having only played the full 90 minutes just once in 2024.

Bocat said it's obvious the Republic of Ireland international is desperate to make his mark.

"He always wants to put himself in the right position to shoot and I think he is a really good body in for us and I think he will give everything to make the team better."

The latest episode of BBC Radio Stoke's 'A Cold Wet Tuesday Night' podcast is available to listen to now.

Lucas and George (AKA Potterlytics) discuss the summer transfers and give each player a rating out of of 10.

Click here to listen