Former Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead has joined Stoke City’s new management team following

the shock sacking of Steven Schumacher earlier this week.

Schumacher was dismissed just five games into the new Championship campaign,

with sporting director Jon Walters moving quickly to appoint Norwich City first-team Narcís Pèlach.

The highly-rated coach has extensive experience in the second tier having been assistant to

Carlos Corberan during his time at Huddersfield Town.

After leaving his position at League One team Barnsley, Whitehead went back to Stoke,

where he played for more than 150 games in all competitions after joining from Sunderland.

Throughout his coaching career, Whitehead has also held positions at Watford and Cardiff City.
Pèlach made his first comments as club president on Wednesday,

stating that the players and staff should “expect to be challenged a lot” in the coming weeks and months.
“I am extremely excited and responsible for Stoke City, and I am very grateful to John Coates

and Jon Walters for providing me with this chance,” he remarked.

There have been other opportunities for me to work as a head coach in England and other nations.

However, after I noticed 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. 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.

The training program will be altered, players and coaches will face numerous challenges,

and every day will be intense and uncomfortable at times.

“But there are no limits to what we can achieve if we get it right and work together to

do something that owners, players, supporters, and staff emotionally believe in.”

Walters expressed his belief that he had chosen a coach with a strong reputation in the industry.

“Narcís is one of the most reputable and sought-after coaches in football, according to

the countless conversations I’ve had with players, even at the top levels of the sport.

He will hold everyone around him at the Club to the same high standards because

he is incredibly motivated and careful.Having worked as a head coach in Spain since of 25,

it was always something Narcís was going to get back to,

and he has been patient about selecting the right opportunity.

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