Stoke City announced Narcis Pelach’s departure on Friday, less than four months after he arrived.
Pelach faced significant challenges after Steven Schumacher’s departure, as the Potters had struggled to establish themselves as promotion contenders since their relegation in 2018.
The Coates family has invested heavily in the club, but it’s fair to say they haven’t performed well in recent years, which has contributed to their current dilemma of relegation to League One.
| Championship table (19th-22nd) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 19 | Stoke City | 23 | -9 | 22 |
| 20 | Oxford United | 22 | -15 | 21 |
| 21 | Portsmouth | 21 | -11 | 20 |
| 22 | Hull City | 23 | -11 | 19 |
| (Correct as of December 28th, 2024) | ||||
However, there is still plenty of time to turn things around, and we have identified four potential managers for the bet365 Stadium.
1
Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray has been out of the game since being diagnosed with cancer, but he is ready to return to management and might be a great fit for Stoke.
He has excelled as a manager, particularly at Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland in recent years.
Not only will he help Stoke play better football, but he may also build a strong bond with the fans and generate the results required to entice people back to the bet365 Stadium.
Stoke fans have had a bad run in recent years, but he could help to turn things around in Staffordshire.
2
Matt Bloomfield
Matt Bloomfield has effectively kept Wycombe Wanderers in the automatic promotion chase while facing stiff competition from good opponents.
He has already been linked to numerous opportunities this season, and it may only be a matter of time before he departs Adams Park if he continues to perform well.
Many assume Bloomfield would be uninterested in this post considering the Potters’ ongoing relegation battle.
However, they have already persuaded leaders to make sideways or downward movements, with Alex Neil and Schumacher joining in recent years.
3
Steve Cooper
Steve Cooper had unsuccessful spells with Nottingham Forest and Leicester City.
However, he created an excellent impression at Forest during his first season and is clearly a quality manager, therefore the Potters should attempt to get a head coach of his calibre.
Following his dismissal at the King Power Stadium, it appears that he will return to the Championship, which could assist Stoke.
If he can make half the effect he had at Forest, he may be an excellent signing for the Staffordshire club.
4
Mark Robins
Mark Robins, a successful manager at Coventry City, would be an excellent choice for the position.
He may have struggled at the Coventry Building Society Arena in the early portions of this semester, which contributed to his departure. But when you look at his spell as a whole, you have to admit he was a miracle worker.
With two promotions, a second-tier play-off final, and an FA Cup semi-final under his belt at Coventry, it may only be a matter of time before he starts receiving offers.
Stoke should attempt to initiate talks with him if he’s willing to return to management, given how much of an impact he can have at a club.
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