‘Massive club’ - Steven Schumacher responds to West Brom links

Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher has shared his thoughts on recent speculation linking him with the vacant West Brom job, playing down any rumours of his departure.

The Baggies are on the hunt for a new manager after Steve Bruce was sacked last week. The 61-year-old had only spent eight months at The Hawthorns but left the club in 22nd place in the Championship - their lowest league position for more than two decades.

A number of names have been mentioned to replace Bruce including the likes of Sean Dyche, Carlos Corberan and Chris Wilder. However, Pilgrims boss Steven Schumacher is the current frontrunner to take the reigns.

Speaking on the links to West Brom on Tuesday, Schumacher said: “It won’t be a distraction. I understand that this is what happens when a team’s playing well and getting good results and sitting top of the league and playing in a style that most clubs would like to see their team playing.

“I’m a young coach as well, which is what people are trying to go for at the moment - people who are hungry and ambitious. That’s exactly what I am and there’s definitely no danger of me being distracted, because I’ve got a good job to do here.

“I’ve seen all of the stuff and I’ve had loads of people texting me, but there’s been no contact from my side.

“If there’s been interest from West Brom I think that’s great because that shows we’re doing something well here, because you wouldn’t get spoken about if you were sitting down the bottom of the league or mid-table.

“It just shows the good job that everyone’s doing - not just me, and we’re getting recognised with these big clubs. West Brom’s a massive club, but there’s been no contact and as far as I’m concerned there’s probably nothing in it.”

West Brom’s interest in Schumacher comes as no surprise given the 38-year-old’s success so far on the south coast. Schumacher replaced the outgoing Ryan Lowe in December 2021 and narrowly missed out on the play-offs in his first season in charge, before leading them to first place in League One after 14 matches of the current campaign.

Richard Beale continues to work as West Brom’s interim head coach as the club search for Bruce’s successor.