What Bojan and Marc Muniesa told Narcis Pelach that made his 'brain click' about Stoke City

Narcis Pelach chats to chairman John Coates as he is revealed as Stoke City's new head coach.
-Credit: (Image: Pete Stonier)


Narcis Pelach got the lowdown on Stoke City from Bojan and Marc Muniesa as he starts out as head coach with an ambition to bring back the good times.

Pelach takes charge of his first Stoke game on Friday night against Hull (8pm) after taking over from Steven Schumacher in a dramatic week at the bet365 Stadium. And he has been able to speak to some old friends from Catalonia to get a feel for what it means to be at the club.

“I talked to Bojan and I talked to Marc Muniesa,” he said. “I had a good chat with both, we're good friends. They explained what the club is about and they have amazing memories, they remember everyone in the club. They are going to come to visit us and maybe stay to watch training and see a game.

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“It was good for me to talk to them. They gave me energy and they made me feel secure as well, wishing I do well for Stoke and maybe Stoke has good memories again. They represent a great period for the club, let's see if we can do something nice in the Championship, something that people can be proud about. That's my aim.”

He added: “My question to them was that I needed to know how they felt playing for Stoke, how was their day-by-day if they remembered Stoke as one of the best places they have worked, their social life as well, how did their family feel.

“Both of them when I was asking questions and they started to talk, it wasn’t an interview it was just a chat, they started to remember people. That’s when my brain clicked and I said I’m coming here, maybe influenced by them both, and I’m feeling very comfortable, I’m really happy to be part of it and Bojan and Muni did the same.

“They were saying, ‘I played with Jon, I played with Ryan, he was a great teammate…’ and you could sense how much they enjoyed that moment. Hopefully I can say that too in time. We will see, it’s exciting.”

Pelach has put the focus on creating a strong identity and style of play but with a bottom line of winning rather than aesthetics.

He said: “John Coates and Jon Walters explained to me what the club is about and I don’t think you could find two men who could live and love the club more. They want the club to be strong in terms of connections, to come to the building every day and find people to work with, people who want to work hard. I’m not saying that you didn’t have that – but I’m mentioning where the club wants to go and I think I represent that.

“That’s why I’m ok, I’m happy, I want to be part of this. I need to see people every day working hard to get something nicer or bigger than what you have now because life is about progressing and trying to be better. This culture is important to put into place as quickly as possible and then see what happens over time. You have to do everything you can and then see what life brings.”

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