Stoke City have parted company with head coach Narcis Pelach just 19 games into his tenure at the club, stating that the Spaniard was “not the right fit”.

Pelach replaced Steven Schumacher on 18 September, signing a three-year contract, but has won only three times in the Championship, the last on 6 November, and the Potters lie 19th in the table.

They were beaten 2-0 by Leeds United on Boxing Day, during which the 36-year-old was criticised over his constant tactical changes.

In a statement, sporting director Jon Walters accepted responsibility for the appointment and Pelach’s inability to turn the club’s fortunes around.

“Narcis is a talented coach with huge potential,” said Walters. “He works relentlessly hard and I have no doubt that he will go on to achieve success in the future.

“However, with the way results and performances have been in recent weeks, we have to accept with hindsight that he has proved not to be the right fit for this club at this time.

“I take full responsibility for that and I’m absolutely determined that we will now make the right choice to take us forward.

“Every decision we make is driven by our love of Stoke City and absolute determination to bring success to the club.”

Pelach was former Stoke striker Walters’ first appointment since taking on the sporting director role earlier this year.

Since relegation from the Premier League in May 2018, Stoke have finished no higher than 14th.

Starting with Gary Rowett, then Nathan Jones, Michael O’Neill, Alex Neil, and Schumacher, Pelach was their sixth ‘permanent’ appointment in six-and-a-half years – and is now their third sacking in barely 12 months.

After back-to-back defeats in his opening two matches, the Potters thrashed Portsmouth 6-1 and lost only one of their following nine league matches, indicating progress was being made.

But results have nosedived since the end of November, with five defeats in their last six and Pelach has been dismissed with the January transfer window opening next week.

“Narcis has our thanks for his around-the-clock endeavours during his time with the club,” added chairman John Coates.

“He is a great person and a talented coach with a relentless work ethic and a bright future. He departs Stoke City with my very best wishes.

“I would also like to thank our fans for the outstanding way they got behind the team against Leeds United on Boxing Day, and for their continuing and unwavering support.”

Stoke state details of who will be in charge for their fixture at home to Sunderland on Sunday will be announced “in due course”.

Pelach brought first-team coach Dean Whitehead and goalkeeper coach Paul Clements with him when he was appointed in September.

More to follow.