Norwich City first team coach Narcis Pelach is clear to become the new head coach at Championship rivals Stoke City, after the clubs agreed compensation.

Pelach's appointment is likely to be confirmed in the next 24 hours - with Stoke in League Cup action at home to Fleetwood on Tuesday night - to replace Steven Schumacher, who was dismissed on Monday morning. 

Current Norwich goalkeeping coach, Paul Clements, will also join Pelach in the Potteries, along with an opposition analyst, Harrison Glew, who previously worked with the duo at Huddersfield but had been with the Canaries since October 2023.

Norwich will now continue their search for a replacement first team coach and goalkeeper coach to join Johannes Hoff Thorup's backroom team, although interim internal appointments could step up in the short term.

Thorup brought fellow Dane, Glen Riddersholm, with him in the summer as his assistant head coach. But following the departure of set piece coach Andy Hughes to Leicester City, Norwich appointed former Brighton set play coach Nick Stanley as a first team and set piece coach.

Both Pelach and Clements were previously part of former head coach David Wagner’s staff inherited by the Dane upon his arrival in May 2024.

Pelach moved to Norfolk in May 2023, after a three year stint at Huddersfield which included helping the Terriers reach a Championship play-off final as part of Carlos Corberan’s set-up.

The Spaniard made no secret of his own managerial ambitions in an exclusive interview with the Pinkun, a few months after moving to Carrow Road.

"I'm not afraid to say that (I want to be a head coach) because I always say that if I give my all and my best, then if I don't achieve, I won't feel embarrassed,” he said.

"I have always said that I want to arrive at the top level. I have never got the chance to be in the first division of any country and I would like to achieve that in England because I arrived four years ago and it felt like home. I like the country and the football.

"In years to come, I want to become a head coach but I don't have rules. I am just 35. I want to be ready. I want to learn more. I want to enjoy this part as well."

Pelach and Clements will know a familiar face in former Norwich defender, Ben Gibson, who joined Stoke in the summer on a free transfer.

His new club beat Coventry City 1-0 on the opening weekend of the Championship season, and won 1-0 at Schumacher's old club Plymouth in August, but an Oxford weekend loss was a third league defeat of the campaign.

Schumacher only took over in December 2023, after guiding Argyle to the second tier, but departed after the weekend’s 1-0 away league defeat.

Stoke sporting director, Jon Walters, told his club’s official site on Monday the time was right for a change.

“My role as sporting director is to make tough decisions that serve the long-term interests of Stoke City.

“After ongoing discussions with John Coates, we feel the time is right for a change in direction to bring success to the club.

“We have a young, dynamic squad that is eager to develop and a clear vision of how to achieve success, and we hope to announce a new appointment shortly. We will need the fans, staff, and players united in support to achieve our goals.

“As always in football, these decisions are difficult, and we wish Steven and his staff all the best for the future.”

Alex Morris and Ryan Shawcross will take caretaker charge for Stoke's League Cup tie against Fleetwood on Tuesday night.