Plymouth Argyle is on the hunt for their next head coach following the departure of Wayne Rooney, who parted ways with the club by mutual consent after just five victories out of 25 games. With the team currently languishing at the bottom of the Championship table, the club's hierarchy is eager to install a new manager before they face Premier League side Brentford for their FA Cup tie on January 13, 2025.
Since Rooney's exit on January 2, 2025, Plymouth has been without a permanent manager, with first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell and captain Joe Edwards stepping up to take temporary charge. Their first challenge was away against Stoke City, where the Pilgrims managed to secure a 0-0 draw, marking only their second clean sheet of the season.
Nancekivell praised the players' resilience, stating, "We came to win, but you don’t always get what you want." He acknowledged the team's defensive efforts, particularly during the second half of the game against Stoke, where they faced relentless pressure yet held firm to secure the point.
Add to this the fact Argyle is just three points adrift of safety, the management's decision to expedite the hiring process is clearly supportive of strengthening the team's chances of Championship survival.
According to reports from Plymouth Live, the Argyle board is currently evaluating potential candidates, with as many as seven names being considered. One top contender is Steven Schumacher, who previously led the club to League One success before his departure to Stoke City. Schumacher had initially shown promise at Stoke, but his tenure there was cut short when he was dismissed just five games in.
Schumacher's past success at Argyle has made him the favorite among fans and punters alike, with betting odds heavily favoring his return to Home Park. After securing the League One title with 101 points during the 2022-23 season, his capabilities at the helm are well known.
Despite potential interest from other clubs, such as West Bromwich Albion, Argyle fans are hopeful for Schumacher's return. It remains to be seen how quickly negotiations can proceed, especially considering the noted difficulties around his previous exit which left some fans feeling disappointed. Should Schumacher’s return materialize, it would not only restore confidence among supporters but also equip the team with the leadership required to stabilize their current season.
Alongside Schumacher, former Argyle promotion-winning manager Ryan Lowe is also being mentioned as another candidate worthy of consideration. That said, with Neil Dewsnip, the director of football, expected to depart imminently, the new managerial appointment will play a significant role not only for the immediate future but for the club's broader strategic direction.
Looking forward, Argyle's upcoming fixtures are crunch time. After Brentford, the Pilgrims will have three home games within eight days, facing Oxford United on January 14, 2025, followed by matches against Queens Park Rangers and Burnley. Each game will be pivotal for the club aiming to boost their survival hopes.
Nancekivell noted the importance of these games, stating, "We have to get points and find a way to do things" moving forward. He framed the upcoming weekends as significant for regenerizing team morale and performance levels.
The tasked oncoming of appointing the new manager before these fixtures against strong competition adds urgency to Argyle's situation. While the interim management duo of Nancekivell and Edwards has managed to scrape together some points through hard work and determination, the club's future hinges upon finding someone who can not only guide the team effectively but also inspire confidence among players and fans alike.
Transitions can be turbulent periods for football clubs, especially when they come against the backdrop of disappointing form. Nevertheless, Plymouth Argyle's leadership is hopeful they can seize this opportunity to create the stability needed to propel the club away from danger.