Plymouth Argyle have suffered a blow over the festive fixtur

Plymouth Argyle have suffered a blow over the festive fixtures, with manager Steven Schumacher making the move to fellow Sky Bet Championship club Stoke City.

Plymouth are without an away win this season in 11 away games.


Schumacher had been the manager of the Pilgrims since 2021 and led the club to the League One title at the end of last season, as well as finishing as runners-up in the Papa John's Trophy.

Assistant manager Mark Hughes, First Team coach Peter Cavanagh and goalkeeper coach Darren Behcet have also departed the club.

While the Pilgrims search for their new manager, director of football Neil Dewsnip and First Team coach Kevin Nancekivell have taken interim charge.

Plymouth Argyle will look to extend their mini-unbeaten run in the Championship to four matches when they travel to South Wales to play Cardiff City on Boxing Day.

Cardiff came from behind to win 2-1 away to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and moved up to 10th position, while Argyle recovered from falling 3-1 behind in the 62nd minute against Birmingham City at Home Park to draw 3-3. That result came after a 0-0 draw away to Queens Park Rangers and a 3-2 home defeat of Rotherham United in the final two games of Steven Schumacher's tenure as manager.

The Pilgrims will take on Cardiff without defender Dan Scarr as he completes a three-match suspension following his dismissal against QPR but there could be a return to the squad for Mustapha Bundu.