Don Goodman has challenged Steven Schumacher and Stoke City to become more forward-thinking and offensive ahead of the 2024/25 season, similar to the team the Potters’ manager built at Plymouth Argyle.
Schumacher left Plymouth Argyle to take over at Stoke following Alex Neil’s dismissal in December, and he guided them to a 17th-place finish after winning their last three games to allay fears of relegation. Following their 3-0 defeat to Swansea City on April 10th, the Potters appeared to be in severe danger of relegation, but 10 points out of a possible 12 insured their survival and offered fans some hope for the future.
Schumacher demonstrated his managerial abilities as he led Plymouth to the 2022/23 season.
Stoke City won the League One title by playing an appealing brand of offensive football, and fans will be hoping that with a complete pre-season to get his ideas over, the Potters can start to reap the benefits of his appointment. Don Goodman pushes Stoke City to consider Plymouth Argyle for 2024/25 success.
Goodman believes Schumacher should use what he created at Plymouth as a pattern for success next season, but acknowledges that it may be tough to build the squad he desires with players at the club on high salaries who may be difficult to replace.
The Sky Sports EFL analyst stated, “The owners at Stoke City are so good and have such good intentions; they simply want success for their football club and will do everything in their power to achieve it.” You can’t say they didn’t fund Stoke throughout their term. Stoke has suffered from poor recruitment, which has hampered their progress.
“I’m not sure what to expect from this club next season. I genuinely appreciate Steven Schumacher and admired the tiny miracle he performed at Plymouth. He built a very offensive, energetic, and entertaining club that would constantly outperform its opponents on a tight budget. It was wonderful to watch.
“He now has a full pre-season, which will allow him to plan carefully with Jon Walters as his football director, who understands what’s required as a former player.
“It all comes down to recruitment, which is where they failed miserably last summer. It may even limit Steven Schumacher’s options, as moving players with high salaries is often difficult.
“Looking at Stoke last season, their best scorer had only six goals, and they scored 49 goals throughout the season, with only five teams scoring less. They must find a way to become a front-footed and attacking team like the one Steven Schumacher established at Argyle, but a lot will depend on who comes.
“Who comes in and who leaves.” Stoke City is having a vital summer in terms of transfers. Stoke have been active in the transfer market thus far, recruiting Viktor Johansson, Ben Gibson, and Eric Bocat, while several first-team players have left.
It’s probably just as crucial for Stoke to get rid of players as it is to add them this summer, given the club has a number of high-paid players who aren’t producing at the required level.
Stoke’s early business has been good, but Schumacher will need more to transform the club into one capable of playing his front-foot aggressive style. With Walters joining as director of football, there appears to be a cautious air of confidence surrounding the club that hasn’t been present in recent seasons, and if Schumacher is supported, they’re expected to improve greatly on their 17th-place finish.
It’s a big season for Stoke, and after years of finishing in the middle or lower half of the Championship, Schumacher will be hoping he’s the manager to break them out of their rut and propel them up the table.
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