Three managers Stoke City should consider as pressure on Mark Robins increases, including a former Blackburn Rovers boss.

Stoke City’s difficult beginning to the 2026/27 Championship season has continued to worsen, with Saturday’s heavy 4-1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers leaving the Potters without a single point from their opening three league fixtures.

The latest setback has intensified the scrutiny surrounding manager Mark Robins, who is now facing growing pressure to turn Stoke’s fortunes around quickly.

It has been a miserable start for the Potters, who have suffered three consecutive defeats and currently sit at the bottom of the Championship table.

A Difficult Start or a Bigger Problem?

There is an argument that Stoke’s opening schedule has been particularly demanding.

The campaign began with a narrow home defeat to Swansea City at the bet365 Stadium before Stoke travelled to face Southampton and Wolves.

All three opponents are expected to challenge around the upper reaches of the Championship this season, meaning Stoke were always facing a difficult opening sequence.

However, the concern becomes greater when Robins’ overall record since taking charge in January 2025 is considered.

Across 78 matches in all competitions, Robins has recorded 25 victories, 17 draws and 36 defeats. His win percentage currently stands at just 32.05 per cent.

That record will inevitably raise questions about whether the manager can eventually deliver the consistency Stoke require.

Stoke’s Problems Stretch Back to Last Season

The current situation cannot simply be blamed on the opening three fixtures.

Stoke began the previous campaign impressively and initially appeared capable of mounting a serious challenge.

However, their momentum disappeared from November onwards following a 1-0 home defeat against Coventry City.

Since that result, the Potters have won only seven of their next 35 league matches.

Their points return during the second half of last season was among the worst in the division, with only Sheffield Wednesday collecting fewer points over that period.

Football League World previously reported exclusively that Stoke had considered dismissing Robins during the summer.

Despite those concerns, the 56-year-old remained in the job and was subsequently supported in the transfer market.

Stoke Have Backed Robins Financially

The club have invested significant money in strengthening Robins’ squad.

Stoke completed a deal worth £10 million for Ethan Galbraith, while George Hirst arrived for an initial £6 million.

The Potters also spent approximately £3.4 million on Djibril Soumare and added four other players to the squad.

That level of backing means expectations will naturally be higher.

If the results continue to go against Stoke, the club’s hierarchy may have to decide whether continuing with Robins represents the best route forward.

Alex Crook has reported via X that pressure is now increasing on the manager, meaning the possibility of a change cannot be ignored.

Should Stoke eventually decide to part company with Robins, there are several experienced coaches they could consider.

Jon Dahl Tomasson

Jon Dahl Tomasson would be an intriguing option for Stoke.

The Dane is well known to Championship supporters following his time managing Blackburn Rovers, where he spent more than 18 months between July 2022 and February 2024.

Tomasson began his managerial career in the Netherlands with Excelsior before subsequently working with Roda and Vitesse.

He also spent time as an assistant with Denmark’s national team before taking charge of Malmö, Blackburn and eventually Sweden.

His work at Blackburn was particularly encouraging during the 2022/23 campaign.

Tomasson guided Rovers to 69 points, which was enough to leave them level with Sunderland in the race for the play-offs.

Unfortunately for Blackburn, Sunderland’s superior goal difference allowed them to take sixth place and the final play-off position.

The following season proved considerably more difficult.

Tomasson became increasingly frustrated by Blackburn’s financial limitations and later pointed to a lack of investment as a major reason behind his departure.

That issue contributed to Blackburn’s struggles during the 2023/24 campaign.

Tomasson subsequently managed Sweden but left after failing to guide the national team to the 2026 World Cup.

The 50-year-old has been without a managerial position since then.

Considering his success at Malmö, where he won consecutive league titles, and his ability to outperform expectations at Blackburn, Tomasson could represent an interesting option for Stoke.

Whether he could reverse the Potters’ fortunes remains uncertain, but his experience would make him worthy of consideration.

Scott Parker

Scott Parker is another manager with extensive Championship experience.

The former West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has already demonstrated his ability to achieve promotion from the second tier.

Parker guided Fulham into the Premier League through the play-offs in 2020 before taking Bournemouth up automatically in second place two years later.

He most recently achieved promotion with Burnley in 2025, overseeing an outstanding campaign in which the Clarets accumulated 100 points while conceding just 16 league goals.

That record highlights Parker’s ability to organise a disciplined team.

Stoke, however, would represent an entirely different challenge.

The club have developed an unfortunate reputation for moving through managers, with Nathan Jones, Alex Neil and Steven Schumacher among those who have previously failed to establish long-term stability.

If Robins were dismissed, Parker would need to do more than simply win matches.

Establishing sustained stability at the bet365 Stadium could arguably become his biggest managerial achievement.

Tactically, Parker has shown flexibility rather than committing permanently to one system.

Nevertheless, he has frequently favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Interestingly, Stoke already have a squad capable of operating in that shape, which could make Parker an appealing tactical fit.

He was dismissed by Burnley during the summer following their relegation to the Championship.

Whether he would be prepared to accept another Championship job so soon remains unknown, but Stoke would be making a mistake if they did not at least explore the possibility.

Steve Cooper

Steve Cooper is perhaps another particularly strong candidate.

Like Parker, the Welsh-born English coach has extensive experience in the Championship and has demonstrated that he can transform struggling clubs.

Cooper initially developed his coaching career within Liverpool’s academy before moving into the England setup, where he worked with the Under-16 and Under-17 teams.

He took over at Swansea City in June 2019 and immediately delivered impressive results.

Cooper guided Swansea to consecutive Championship play-off finishes during his two seasons in charge.

The second campaign ended in disappointment when Swansea lost the play-off final against Brentford.

Cooper then joined Nottingham Forest in September 2021, inheriting a side sitting at the bottom of the Championship.

What followed was a remarkable turnaround.

He transformed Forest’s fortunes, guided them into the play-offs and eventually secured promotion to the Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley.

His subsequent spells with Leicester City and Brondby were less successful, with Cooper eventually leaving the Danish club after failing to qualify for European competition.

He is currently without a job.

Could Cooper Be Stoke’s Answer?

Cooper’s Championship record makes him particularly attractive.

He achieved three play-off finishes during his time in the division, with his most impressive accomplishment coming after taking over Forest when they were bottom of the league.

That ability to immediately change a club’s trajectory could make him an ideal candidate if Stoke decide Robins’ time has come to an end.

With the Potters already investing heavily in their squad, the club need results to improve quickly.

Whether Stoke stick with Robins or eventually make a change remains to be seen.

However, if the current slide continues, Tomasson, Parker and Cooper could all represent credible alternatives.

The crucial question is whether Stoke need simply a new manager or a broader structural change throughout the club.