Stoke City has appointed the experienced Mark Robins as their new manager on a contract running through 2028, making the 55-year-old their third boss of the turbulent 2024-25 campaign. Robins, who was surprisingly sacked by Coventry City in November after 7½ successful years, takes charge of a Potters side sitting 18th in the EFL Championship.
Robins Replaces Pelach at Bet365 Stadium
The arrival of Robins, who will watch Wednesday’s trip to Burnley from the stands before his dugout debut on Saturday against Plymouth, follows the dismissals of Steven Schumacher in September and Narcis Pelach last Friday. Interim boss Ryan Shawcross oversaw a vital win against Sunderland at the weekend to lift Stoke four points clear of the relegation zone.
In Robins, Stoke have acquired one of the Championship’s most respected managers. He led Coventry from League Two to the second tier with two promotions, reaching last season’s playoff final before a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Luton Town:
At Coventry, Mark built something successful with a real identity and longevity and he left the club in a significantly better place than he found it.
Jon Walters, Stoke City Sporting Director
Robins’ Coventry City Legacy
Across his 379 games in charge of the Sky Blues, Robins amassed a win percentage of 42.7% while elevating the club from the fourth tier to within touching distance of a return to the Premier League. Additional highlights of his Coventry tenure included:
- Two EFL Trophy triumphs in 2017 and 2019
- An improbable FA Cup semifinal run last season, losing to Manchester United on penalties
- Establishing Coventry as a consistent top-half Championship side on a modest budget
Robins’ shock November departure from the Coventry Building Society Arena, with the team in 11th place, raised plenty of eyebrows. But his record of shrewd recruitment, tactical flexibility, and developing young talent made him a prime target for second-tier rivals.
The Task Ahead at Stoke City
At Stoke, Robins inherits an expensive, underperforming squad that has failed to seriously challenge for promotion since relegation from the Premier League in 2018. With a dozen games remaining this term, ensuring Championship survival is the immediate priority.
Looking ahead, the Potters will expect their new manager to mold a side capable of pushing for the top six next season. Robins’ ability to implement an effective playing style while absorbing the club’s category one academy products will be crucial to meeting those elevated expectations.
| Manager | Hired | Departed | Games | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Schumacher | June 2024 | September 2024 | 10 | 0.60 |
| Narcis Pelach | October 2024 | February 2025 | 19 | 0.95 |
Stoke fans will hope Robins can provide far more stability than his short-lived predecessors. The 3½ year contract reflects the club hierarchy’s faith in their new appointment to oversee a long-term project.
Mark Robins’ arrival at the bet365 Stadium marks the start of a fascinating new chapter for Stoke City. After a chaotic campaign, the Potters are betting on a proven, promotion-winning manager to steer the club back to calmer waters and perhaps, in time, a return to the Premier League promised land.
