Steven Schumacher has broken the silence following his surprise sacking from Stoke City earlier this week.
Sporting Director Jon Walters took the decision to relieve the former Plymouth Argyle manager of his duties on Monday after nine months in charge. He left the club in 13th place in the second tier and had led them to the third round of the EFL Cup.
The Potters moved swiftly to secure his replacement in Norwich City coach Narcis Pelach, taking other Canaries staff members and Barnsley‘s Dean Whitehead to Staffordshire with him. He was confirmed to have taken the helm shortly after Schumacher released a statement via the League Manager’s Association.
He said: “It came as a huge shock to me and my family to be told I had lost my job at Stoke City FC. The coaching staff and I have worked tirelessly over the last nine months, and for our journey at the club to be cut short is hugely disappointing.
“Our objective last season was to keep the club in the EFL Championship. We achieved what we set out to do, and the way that we ended the season gave me great confidence that we could achieve this season’s objectives.
“We tried to create an atmosphere where everyone enjoyed coming to work and was committed to giving 100% every day. We won seven of our last ten competitive games, and started this season by winning four of the opening seven fixtures.
In my opinion, after an encouraging start, we were only going to get better and I believe the squad assembled for this season will go on to do really well. I would like to thank the players for their efforts and wish them all the very best for the future.”
His departure marks his first stint outside of the game since the liquidation of Bury FC in 2019, with Ryan Lowe eventually bringing the 40-year-old to Home Park months later. Preston North End swept in to take the Pilgrims manager north, giving Schumacher his first head coach role.
Lowe was the first manager to lose their job in the Championship this season, stepping back from his role at Deepdale after the first game of the season. Former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has since been installed as the new boss at Preston.
Schumacher continued his statement, adding: “It was clear that my vision of selecting young, hungry and energetic players to represent this great club was beginning to come to fruition. In playing the youngest-ever Stoke City team in the Carabao Cup, we won the game by the highest margin away from home in 70 years.
“Following that feat I picked the youngest ever starting league team away at Plymouth Argyle. Unfortunately, the club have chosen to go in a different direction. However, I thank the Coates family for giving me the opportunity to work at Stoke City FC.
“Finally to the Stoke City FC fans. Thank you for the support you have shown my family and I over the last nine months. I do feel that we were starting to build a real connection between the supporters and the team, and I hope you were aware of how much it meant to me to be able to represent you on the touchline.
“I feel that I have learned a lot about myself, both as a person and as a manager over the last nine months. I will use this experience and take some time to reflect, recharge and be ready for the next challenge.”
Writer’s View
Steven Schumacher must have been blindsided by the news that he had been sacked. It is easy to feel for him given the circumstances after what was a relatively decent start in the Championship combined with a cup run. He finally had a fully prepared transfer window over the summer and did some good business in bringing players like Lewis Koumas and Viktor Johansson from Rotherham United.
This is a make-or-break situation for Jon Walters. He has removed someone who they invested a two-year contract into not even halfway into that deal. Narcis Pelach now carries the mantle of manager and will be tasked with delivering play-off football. If they fall short of that aim, it could cost a Stoke City legend his job.