Stoke City appoint Steven Schumacher as manager after missing out on former Chelsea boss

STOKE have poached Steven Schumacher from fellow Championship strugglers Plymouth as boss – after missing out on Graham Potter.

Schumacher, 39, succeeds the sacked Alex Neil with a 3.5-year contract.

Steven Schumacher has switched League One champs Plymouth for StokeRex

The former Bury and Bradford midfielder took Argyle up as League One champions last season with 101 points in his second campaign in charge.

Stoke had been linked with former Chelsea chief Potter.

But that always seemed optimistic, especially as incoming Manchester United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a big fan of the ex- Brighton manager.

Instead, Schumacher comes into the Potters – despite Plymouth sitting three points and three points above Stoke in the second tier.

City are winless for eight games – also just three points and three positions above the drop zone.

Schumacher said he was “attracted” to Stoke by “its history and everything it represents”.

The Liverpudlian told the club’s website: “The values that resonate with me for a Stoke City team are bravery and hard work, coupled with a desire to play attacking football and be a team our supporters can connect with.

“We have the players to do that and, if we can get back to a point where the Bet365 Stadium is thought of as a tough venue to visit, we can really get it rocking again.”

Stoke axed 42-year-old Neil last week after just six victories in 20 Championship games this term.

The Scot had left Sunderland to take over in August 2022, with the Potters finishing 16th last season.

Expectations were higher for this campaign – following a massive summer transfer shake-up.

But they wee a dismal 20th when the axe fell on Neil.