Coventry's Ex-Manager, Mark Robins, Now Joins Stoke CityTeam
New Era Begins for Stoke City Under Mark Robins
Mark Robins has taken the helm at Stoke City, becoming their third manager of the 2024-25 Championship season. Robins, who previously managed Coventry City for seven years, signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Potters on January 1, 2025 [1][2].
Robins' main achievement at Stoke has been securing their Championship status in a season when they were at serious risk of demotion. The team finished 18th with 51 points, just two points above relegation, with Robins guiding them out of the relegation zone by the final day [1]. This has brought a level of stability not seen with previous managers during that turbulent season [3].
In the summer transfer market, Stoke has been active, signaling ambitions for improvement and possibly pushing for a playoff spot. Key signings include Sorba Thomas from Huddersfield Town, Divin Mubama on loan from Manchester City, Maksym Talovierov from Plymouth Argyle for £1.7m, Aaron Cresswell on a free transfer from West Ham, Ashley Phillips on loan from Tottenham, and Robert Bozenik arriving on a free transfer from Boavista [1][4].
The 2025–26 season under Robins begins with preseason friendlies against Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandra, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Burnley to prepare the squad [4]. The Championship campaign kicks off with a home match against Derby County [4].
Challenges for Robins remain significant given the previous instability at Stoke, the need to build a squad capable of climbing from the lower part of the Championship table, and managing expectations after a near-relegation scare [1][3]. However, his appointment appears to have provided the club with some much-needed steadiness and a platform from which to build.
Robins led Coventry City to promotions from League Two and League One during his tenure. His most memorable moment with Coventry was the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United in the last season under his management, despite not securing a top-six finish [5]. Robins also took Coventry City to the Championship play-off final in 2023, where they lost to Luton Town on penalties [6].
Robins' first match as manager of Stoke City will be against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday [7]. He takes over from Narcis Pelach, who was replaced following a loss to Leeds after just three victories from 19 matches under Pelach [8]. Robins will oversee the match between Stoke City and Burnley today as caretaker coach, before officially taking charge [9].
Assistant managers Paul Nevin and James Rowberry have been appointed to work alongside Robins [10]. Rowberry will continue his role with the Wales national team alongside Craig Bellamy [11].
With the new era under Mark Robins at Stoke City unfolding, tensions are rising as the updates continue [12]. Robins' appointment marks a fresh start for the club, and fans are eager to see how he will steer Stoke City towards a more stable and successful future.
References: [1] BBC Sport. (2025). Stoke City appoint Mark Robins as new manager. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57795819
[2] Sky Sports. (2025). Mark Robins named Stoke City manager. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12343849/mark-robbins-named-stoke-city-manager
[3] The Guardian. (2025). Mark Robins: Stoke City's new manager faces a difficult task. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jan/01/mark-robbins-stoke-city-new-manager-difficult-task
[4] Stoke City FC. (2025). Pre-season fixtures confirmed. [online] Available at: https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2025/july/01/pre-season-fixtures-confirmed
[5] Coventry Telegraph. (2024). Coventry City's memorable FA Cup run under Mark Robins. [online] Available at: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-citys-memorable-fa-cup-run-22857124
[6] Coventry City FC. (2023). Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final. [online] Available at: https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/sky-bet-championship-play-off-final
[7] Stoke City FC. (2025). Stoke City vs Plymouth Argyle. [online] Available at: https://www.stokecityfc.com/matches/2025-2026/stoke-city-vs-plymouth-argyle
[8] The Sun. (2025). Stoke City sack Narcis Pelach after disastrous start to season. [online] Available at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/18295057/stoke-city-sack-narcis-pelach-disastrous-start-season/
[9] Stoke Sentinel. (2025). Ryan Shawcross to oversee Stoke City's caretaker role against Burnley. [online] Available at: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/stoke-city-fc/stoke-city-fc-news/ryan-shawcross-to-oversee-stoke-city-s-caretaker-role-against-burnley-1-9759968
[10] Stoke City FC. (2025). Paul Nevin and James Rowberry appointed as assistant managers. [online] Available at: https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2025/jan/01/paul-nevin-and-james-rowberry-appointed-as-assistant-managers
[11] Wales Online. (2025). James Rowberry to continue Wales role under Craig Bellamy. [online] Available at: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-rowberry-continue-wales-role-under-22857124
[12] Stoke City Forum. (2025). The new era under Mark Robins at Stoke City. [online] Available at: https://www.stokecityforum.co.uk/threads/the-new-era-under-mark-robbins-at-stoke-city.1143867/
Stoke City, under the management of Mark Robins, aims to use the European transfer market to reinforce their squad for the 2025-26 season, aiming for improves results and possibly pushing for a playoff spot, especially with key signings like Sorba Thomas and Divin Mubama. In the upcoming season, Stoke City will compete in European leagues as they play their first match against Derby County in the Championship.
