Steven Schumacher explains why he chose Bolton Wanderers despite having ‘opportunities in the Championship’

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Steven Schumacher began his tenure as Bolton Wanderers boss with a loss in their opening fixture to Stockport County; however, they may count themselves unlucky to be on the end of the 2-0 defeat.

Things could have gone entirely differently at Edgeley Park last weekend, a stadium that is looking to undergo an expansion after a failed attempt to stop it by a wildlife group.

Schumacher had been out of work after he was dismissed from his role with Stoke City at the start of last season, after only five matches.

The Liverpool native was appointed manager of Bolton Wanderers last season, and he has finally explained why he took the role at the Greater Manchester club despite having offers from Championship clubs.

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Schumacher sees the potential in Bolton

Despite now beginning their seventh season outside the Championship, Bolton are still considered by many to be a big club, mainly due to their involvement during the Barclays era of the Premier League.

Bolton spent 11 seasons in the English top flight following the turn of the millennia, with two of those having European football.

Schumacher will be dreaming of returning the club to those days, and he sees the potential in doing that, after his comments to BBC Radio Manchester.

He said: “I think there is a huge opportunity here for us.

“I inherited a good playing squad.

“As I said last year, I felt it was a little imbalanced in certain areas from a recruitment point of view, but it was talented.

“The opportunity to be able to compete at the top end of League One was what attracted me to it and the size of it, the potential of where it can get to.

“I had opportunities in the Championship that I didn’t feel were the right move at the time, but this just felt right, and with the right people behind the scenes.”

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Schumacher’s credentials for Bolton

Bolton have been stuck in League One for the past four seasons and have invested in their squad to return to the Championship; however, they have been unable to reach the division.

They believe in Schumacher that they have the man who can finally deliver that due to his success with Plymouth Argyle.

Schumacher won the title with Plymouth in 2023 and in doing so won the League One Manager of the Year, so Bolton will be hopeful he can do this once again.

He has plenty of experience as a manager now, and after his disastrous spell with Stoke City, he has experienced both the highs and lows of football management, something that is sure to help him in his role with Bolton.