Stoke City close to hiring Mark Robins as manager after reaching verbal agreement – with former Coventry City boss set to start work before match against Plymouth

Stoke City have verbally agreed a deal with Mark Robins to become their new head coach.

Terms are still being finalised, but he is expected to be in charge for when they face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Robins was sacked at the start of November after a seven-year spell at Coventry City that saw them rise from League Two to the Championship.

That decision was met with widespread shock, especially considering that he had led them to the 2023 play-off final and the semi-finals of the 2024 FA Cup, where Manchester United beat them on penalties. He had been the longest-serving manager in the Football League. 

Robins will replace Narcis Pelach, who Stoke sacked after just 19 games, and will become their third manager of the season.

Steven Schumacher started the campaign in the dugout but was relieved of his duties on September 16.

The Potters sacked Narcis Pelach two days after Christmas and sit 18th in the Championship

Pelach was unable to inspire a turnaround and won just three of his 19 games in charge, suffering defeat in nine. 

The Potters, who are yet to finish in the top half of the Championship since getting relegated from the Premier League in 2018, are 18th in the table.

They sit just four points above Cardiff City, who occupy the highest spot in the relegation zone. Stoke travel to Burnley on Wednesday.

Robins started his playing career with Manchester United and played as a striker in the Premier League with Norwich and Leicester.

His winning goal against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the 1990-91 FA Cup has often been credited with saving Sir Alex Ferguson’s job.

As a manager he has taken charge of Rotherham, Barnsley, Huddersfield, Scunthorpe, and Coventry twice.