Stoke City appoint former Carlos Corberan coach as new manager
A former coach of West Brom boss Carlos Corberan has been appointed as Stoke City’s new manager – following the sacking of Steven Schumacher.
Schumacher was axed by the Potters on Monday – after just nine months in charge at the Bet365 Stadium.
And they have moved quickly to appoint Norwich City’s Spanish coach Narcis Pelach.
The 36-year-old moved to work in England four years ago, becoming a coach under Corberan during his successful period as Huddersfield Town boss, as he guided them to the Championship play-off final.
Pelach remained at the Terriers after Corberan left for Olympiacos, before becoming a coach under David Wagner and Johannes Hoff Thorup at Carrow Road.
Now he has been appointed as Stoke’s news boss on a three-year deal.
He said: “I’ve had other chances to become a head coach in England and in other countries.
“But I know the league, I know the opposition and I already know about our players. The level of the squad is good. I believe in them and I will create a playing style that suits their qualities.
“I feel a great excitement and sense of responsibility to Stoke City and can’t thank (chairman) John Coates and (tehnical director) Jon Walters enough for giving me this opportunity.
“Once I saw in their eyes how passionate they are about the club and how much they want to embrace a different identity and philosophy, I could not refuse and, once I’m in, I’m all in.”
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Championship team of the week dominated by West Brom – as one player scores 10/10
The other clubs included in this instalment of the team of the week are Derby County, Luton Town, Swansea City, Coventry City, Preston North End and Sunderland. It may be a surprise to see the latter three teams in there as none of them managed victories, but individual players stepped up nonetheless.
Championship team of the week (Sep 13-15)
GK: Jacob Widell Zetterström (Derby) – 7.69
The Sweden international made five saves and one claim to preserve a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Cardiff City.
RB: Brad Potts (Preston) – 7.64
Potts assisted Mads Frökjaer-Jensen’s equaliser and maintained a 100% tackle success rate in the 1-1 draw away at Middlesbrough.
CB: Teden Mengi (Luton) – 7.86
The former Manchester United man scored the only goal of the game as Luton beat Millwall 1-0 away from home.
CB: Kyle Bartley (West Brom) – 7.77
Bartley was dominant in the air and was accurate with 95% of his passes in West Brom’s 3-0 win at Portsmouth.
LB: Owen Beck (Blackburn) – 8.47
The left-back contributed an impressive five tackles, four clearances, three interceptions and four dribbles as Rovers thrashed Bristol 3-0.
RM: Ronald (Swansea) – 7.74
The Brazilian battled hard on the right flank in Swansea’s 1-0 win over Norwich City, with six tackles, four dribbles and four aerials won.
CM: Alex Mowatt (West Brom) 10.00
Mowatt scored two of Albion’s three goals at Pompey, including a tremendous curling free-kick as a cherry on top in stoppage time.
Alex Mowatt earned the perfect 10.00 WhoScored rating with two goals in West Brom’s 3-0 win at Portsmouth.Alex Mowatt earned the perfect 10.00 WhoScored rating with two goals in West Brom’s 3-0 win at Portsmouth.
Alex Mowatt earned the perfect 10.00 WhoScored rating with two goals in West Brom’s 3-0 win at Portsmouth. | Getty Images
CM: Jack Rudoni (Coventry) – 8.23
Rudoni assisted Ellis Simms’ opening goal in the 1-1 draw at Watford. The midfielder created four more chances throughout.
LM: Romaine Mundle (Sunderland) – 8.54
The winger was the Black Cats’ shining light in the 3-2 defeat at Plymouth Argyle as he scored one goal and completed six dribbles.
ST: Yuki Okashi (Blackburn) – 8.53
The Japanese netted a brace for Rovers at Ewood Park, sending his side on their way for a third win in fifth matches.
ST: Josh Maja (West Brom) – 7.27
Maja scored his fifth goal in fifth games to open the scoring at Fratton Park. He racked up six shots all in all, with two on target.
