Steven Schumacher might be regretting his move from Plymouth Argyle to Stoke City, especially after Stoke’s recent struggles. Stoke City’s defeat against Cardiff City on Saturday pushed them into the relegation zone, marking a disappointing season for the club. Despite high hopes at the start of the season due to a significant influx of players, Stoke City made a poor start, leading to the sacking of Alex Neil in December.
Steven Schumacher, who replaced Neil, has found it challenging, winning only three of his 13 games in charge. Stoke City’s recent loss to Cardiff City further compounded their woes, dropping them into the relegation zone. Schumacher urged supporters to stick with the team, but as relegation fears loom, he may be regretting his decision to leave Plymouth for Stoke.
Schumacher had a successful stint at Plymouth, leading them to the League One title last season. Plymouth made a decent start to life in the Championship, and at the time of Schumacher’s departure, they were clear of the relegation zone. The club’s board aimed for a play-off push within the next five years, highlighting the potential Schumacher could have realized if he stayed at Home Park. Ian Foster replaced Schumacher at Argyle and has performed well, but Schumacher’s transition to Stoke has been challenging.
While it’s understandable why Schumacher moved to Stoke, there were warning signs, with several managers failing to make an impact at the club in recent years. Schumacher’s predecessor, Neil, also struggled at Stoke after joining from Sunderland. In contrast, Plymouth has been stable, with further off-the-field chaos at Stoke, including the sacking of technical director Ricky Martin.
There has been speculation about Schumacher’s future, with reports suggesting former Queens Park Rangers manager Gareth Ainsworth could replace him. Schumacher inherited a difficult situation at Stoke, but if the club’s fortunes don’t improve, they might consider a change, given the financial implications of relegation to League One.
Pressure is mounting on Schumacher, with supporters expressing their concerns as relegation becomes a real possibility. Plymouth’s recent win against Middlesbrough further highlights the contrast in fortunes between the two clubs, with Plymouth moving five points clear of the relegation zone. As Stoke drops into the bottom three, Schumacher may be questioning his decision to leave Plymouth.
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