A New Era for Stoke City

Mark Robins, the current manager of Stoke City, has a deep understanding of the frustrations and anger felt by the club’s supporters. He is committed to guiding the Potters towards a brighter future, despite the challenges that have come with managing the club in recent years.

Robins is the first manager since 2022 to oversee a full season at Stoke City. This makes him only the second manager out of nine who have taken charge since the summer of 2017 to achieve this feat. His tenure has seen the club remain in the Championship during the 2024/25 season, and he started the 2025/26 campaign strongly before slipping into another mid-table finish.

There have been difficult moments, particularly during a seven-game losing streak on the road since February. During these games, players and staff have faced hostile treatment from fans. However, on Saturday’s match against Bristol City, Robins was met with cheers from the crowd.

A Message of Gratitude and Determination

Robins expressed his appreciation for the support, saying: “It means a lot… as long as they’re singing it in a positive way! I thank them for it because they are frustrated and there are some really angry people who support Stoke City. That is borne from a long time out of the Premier League. We can’t just say, ‘I want this…’ Of course we do, I’d love it. It’s really difficult to get there, which makes it so much better when you get there.”

He emphasized the need for the club to move forward, acknowledging the challenges faced this season. “We will put things in place. We will ensure that this is moved forward. It has been really challenging this season for a number of reasons which we have spoken about enough. Let’s focus on what we can do to rebuild and make sure it is as positive as it can be next year.”

Robins also highlighted the importance of making the club stronger and ensuring that more people can enjoy supporting and owning the club.

Preparing for the 2026/27 Season

The work for the 2026/27 season has already begun. Robins, Jon Walters, and John Coates will meet this week before taking a break. This summer is expected to bring significant changes both on and off the pitch.

Robins explained: “My plan is obviously down to the people above me now. We’re in next week and we’ve got to work towards things. This will be a notoriously quiet period but if we can do business early, we’ll do business early, as we did last season. If not, we’ll have to wait and be patient.”

He also mentioned the complexities of dealing with players under contract and the impact of the upcoming vote on financial rule changes.

Staying Informed on Stoke City

For those interested in following the latest news and updates on Stoke City, there are several ways to stay connected. A new WhatsApp group has been launched to deliver the latest news directly to your phone. Subscribers can join the group by clicking the link and selecting 'Join Chat'. Leaving the group is simple, as users can click on the name at the top of their screen and select 'Exit Group'.

Every day, the football desk strives to deliver comprehensive coverage of Stoke City, including news, features, and transfer-related stories. Pete Smith, the dedicated reporter, follows the team home and away, offering detailed coverage from matchdays and press conferences.

A daily free Stoke City newsletter is available for those who prefer to receive a round-up of key stories directly in their inbox. For mobile users, the Stoke-on-TrentLive app allows personalization of content by selecting Stoke City as a designated topic. The app can be downloaded from Apple.