Coventry City sack manager in second casualty of the new Championship campaign

Coventry City sack manager in second casualty of the new Championship campaign

Coventry City’s Championship rivals Stoke have sacked manager Steven Schumacher after slipping to the club’s third league defeat of the new campaign.

The Potters beat the Sky Blues 1-0 at the bet365 Stadium on the opening day of the 2024/25 season but went on to lose three of their next four in the division, the latest coming as a 1-0 defeat at Oxford United on Saturday lunchtime.

Schumacher’s only other league victory has been at his former club, Plymouth Argyle, although the club have fared batter in the Carabao Cup, beating Carlisle 2-0 away and thumping Middlebrough 5-0 at the Riverside to earn a third round tie against Fleetwood Town tomorrow night (Tues).

Schumacher becomes the second Championship casualty of the new season, following the departure of Ryan Lowe from Preston North End just one game into the fresh term, after the Lilywhite’s opening day defeat to Sheffield United.

Schumacher had been in charge since December last year, arriving from Plymouth, and had guided the club to Championship safety by the spring.

But sporting director Jon Walters and chairman John Coates have made the decision for a major change in direction just a month into the new season and a fortnight after the end of the summer transfer window. Mark Hughes, Chris Cohen, Peter Cavanagh and Elliot Turner have also left.

Alex Morris and Ryan Shawcross have been placed in caretaker charge.

Walters said: “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

 

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.”

Stoke are now searching for their seventh manager since relegation from the Premier League in 2018.

Chairman Coates added: “Steven, Mark, Chris, Peter and Elliot depart with our thanks for their efforts and with our best wishes for their future careers.

“We have faith in the squad of players we have assembled and firmly believe they can bring success to Stoke City this season.

“I continue to be hugely thankful to the Club’s fans for their loyal and passionate support.”