As he approaches his 12-month anniversary as manager, Argyle boss Steven Schumacher has signed a new deal at Home Park.
Schumacher, 38, has put pen to paper on a two-year extension, taking his contract to the summer of 2027.
Argyle Chief Executive Officer Andrew Parkinson said: “When we moved to appoint Steven a year ago, we saw the potential he possessed and believed he had the ability to flourish within our structure.
“It was clear to us that Steven had the tactical and coaching acumen to thrive in this environment, and we are delighted to see how he has risen to the challenge of leading the team. He often talks about his achievements being the result of the culture across the club, and he is absolutely correct, but he has been a big part of helping us drive forward.
“The club and Steven have the opportunity to grow further together in what is an incredibly exciting time for Argyle. We are delighted to reward him for his efforts and look forward to building on an incredibly positive 12 months.”
Having joined the club as assistant to Ryan Lowe in the summer of 2020 and earned promotion back to Sky Bet League One in his first season in Devon, Schumacher eased seamlessly into the top job in December 2021, when Lowe departed for Preston North End in the Championship.
Taking charge midway through the 21/22 campaign, Schumacher led the Greens to a final haul of 80 points – the Pilgrims’ highest tally in the third tier since the title-winning side of 2003/04. In a record season for the division, Argyle missed out on the play-off places on the final day – but the campaign still provided timeless memories for the Green Army, including taking reigning European champions Chelsea to within a few minutes of a penalty shoot-out in a 2-1 Emirates FA Cup defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Fuelled by the disappointment of finishing seventh, Schumacher, alongside Director of Football Neil Dewsnip and his recruitment and coaching team, has led the Pilgrims to a blistering start to the 22/23 campaign, with Argyle top of the Sky Bet League One table as we approach the midway point of the season.
In the process, Schumacher’s 22/23 side set a club record of nine successive home wins to begin a league season, including victories over promotion rivals Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday, and a thrilling 4-2 victory over local rivals Exeter City.
Such has been the Pilgrims’ form in his tenure so far, the Greens’ boss has won three of the eight Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month awards he has been eligible for – including successive awards in September and October.
Argyle Director of Football Neil Dewsnip said: “I am delighted that Steven has agreed to extend his contract at Argyle.
“This extension indicates that he sees his future at Plymouth Argyle, he wants to keep developing as a young manager and to achieve our collective goal of making Argyle a Championship team.
“I look forward to continuing my support to him on both a professional and personal level.”
On signing his new deal, Steven Schumacher said: “I’m delighted. It means everything. The support that I have received from the board, Andrew [Parkinson] and Simon [Hallett] over the last 12 months that I have been manager has been incredible.
“For me, signing this extension says I believe in the plan. I’m fully committed to it, and I have been since the day we came down here. I work hard every single day to try to achieve that.
“This contract is another step in the plan. The commitment that club has shown me, and that I have shown to them, shows that I believe in the plan.
“I don’t take it for granted. The football club is a huge part of the city. I understand that having been here for a few years now. I know what it means to everybody. The support from the fans has been different class.
“I will continue to work hard for everyone at the club, and the fans, and we can all look forward to some good days in the future.”
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