Stoke City have sacked head coach Steven Schumacher following Saturday’s Championship defeat by Oxford United.

The 1-0 loss was the Potters’ third Championship defeat of the season, and leaves them 13th in the table with just two wins from their five games.

It brings Schumacher’s tenure as Stoke boss to an end after just nine months, having left Plymouth Argyle to take the job in December.

Stoke’s sporting director Jon Walters said the decision was made to “serve the long-term interests” of the club.

“As always in football, these decisions are difficult,” Walters added., external