'This one feels right' - Steven Schumacher returns to work four months after Stoke City exit
Steven Schumacher says he has been reflecting and learning – and taking the rare chance to spend so much time with his family in the four months since leaving Stoke City as he is appointed new boss at Bolton Wanderers.
Schumacher has taken over from Ian Evatt, who was sacked last week after four-and-a-half years in charge, and inherits a team that is only outside the League One play-off places on goal difference with 18 games left to play.
He had spent nine months at Stoke after guiding Plymouth Argyle to the Championship and has spoken to other clubs since then – there have been links to vacancies at West Brom, Millwall, Cardiff, Hull and Plymouth – but he has ‘a really good feeling’ about Bolton.
READ MORE: Stoke City confirm striker exit as deadline day looms
READ MORE: Stoke City loan signing excited for second chance under Mark Robins
“So many things attracted me to this great club,” he said. “The history, the fanbase, the ownership, the quality in the squad. It has got so many different things, and I am just really excited to be here.
“When you're out of work, you are trying to reflect. I tried to go and do some extra learning, tried to take some time as well and spend time with the family. It was the first Christmas in 23 years of not being involved in the game – and it was good, hectic, but it was good.
“You are always just looking for the right opportunity and when I got the call late last week and started discussions over the weekend there was just something that felt right about it. I have obviously spoken to other clubs in the four months that I've been off, and this one felt right. I've got a really good feeling, and I'm super excited.”
He added: “It's been an interesting career journey for me so far and I'm now at a fantastic club, a club which I believe can go on and do great things this season and in the future."
Schumacher’s first game will be at Reading tomorrow.
Bolton chairman Sharon Brittan said: “I am delighted that we have secured the services of Steven on a long-term contract to become our new Head Coach and we warmly welcome him to Bolton Wanderers.
“Steven is the ideal candidate to carry on the excellent work previously done by Ian Evatt and his staff and build on the legacy put in place by them over the last few years. We are all excited for this next stage of our journey."
While you're here, we have launched a new WhatsApp group to deliver the latest Stoke news directly to your phone. Click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in. If for some reason you decide you no longer want to be in our community, you can leave at any time by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking 'Exit Group', simple as that.
