Leeds United deliver final nail as Stoke sack ‘Rancid’ Narcis Pelach
Leeds United delivered the “final nail” as Stoke City sacked Narcis Pelach after their loss, James Marshment says.
The TEAMtalk journalist believes the Potters were “rancid” in their 2-0 loss to the Whites in the Championship on Boxing Day.
After the defeat at the bet365 Stadium, the Staffordshire club relieved their Spanish manager of his duties after just three months in charge [BBC Sport, 27 December].
On his personal X account (27 December), Marshment wrote: “Final nail delivered by Leeds and, let’s be honest, they were rancid last night.”
Leeds United go to of Championship after Stoke win
The Peacocks jumped to the top of the league table after beating Pelach’s team and will have the opportunity to extend that lead with the trip to Derby on Sunday (29 December).
Sheffield United will play West Brom on the same day, and if the Blades lose, Daniel Farke’s team could cement their position at the summit of the second tier of English football for the time being.
The German manager has had to deal with many adversities at the West Yorkshire club this season but has thrived despite the injury issues in the squad.
Leeds United are the favourite of many to win promotion to the Premier League, and failure to do so will leave the Elland Road faithful questioning the 48-year-old head coach’s abilities.
Considering the quality the Whites have in their squad, they should comfortably push to lift the Championship title.
With the return of Ethan Ampadu and other players ahead of the second half of the season, Farke could have his strongest squad for the crunch period and needs to ensure automatic promotion.
In the previous campaign, the Peacocks missed out after losing to Southampton in the play-off final, and they can’t let the same scenario repeat itself.
In other Leeds United news, games could be abandoned this week after what happened at the bet365 Stadium.
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