Stoke City under Mark Robins have slipped down the table in the last few weeks. Could the former Coventry City boss soon come under pressure for his job?
Stoke City hired Mark Robins as manager in January 2025. He steadied the ship and made early promotion contenders out of his Potters side this season. But form has since turned poor.
In midweek, Stoke City lost 1-0 away at Charlton Athletic, having now gone six games without a win in the Championship and finding themselves in 14th place of the table, albeit still just four points out of the top six.
Fans on social media have slowly started to debate whether Robins really is the right man for the job, or whether it’s injuries that have derailed Stoke City’s season.
Here, The72’s writers debate whether or not Stoke City could sack Robins…
Luke Phelps
“For Stoke City, sacking Robins won’t solve any of their problems. Their main problem right now, I think, is injuries. Losing Viktor Johansson was a big blow, likewise Divin Mubama, Lewis Baker, and Sam Gallagher who were all goal threats for the Potters.
“That said, Robins hasn’t covered himself in glory in the last few weeks either. Some of his substitutions against Charlton Athletic last time out surprised, taking off forward players and goal threats whilst drawing, only to then go and lose the game 1-0.
“Robins remains an experienced, tried and tested manager in the Championship. He’s been dealt a tough hand this season but I can understand any fans who are frustrated at his decisions. But if the Potters were to sack Robins, who would they get?
“Have they got enough money to poach a manager currently under contract somewhere else? Is the job attractive enough to poach a manager capable of getting the club back into the Premier League? It’s still a rebuilding job at Stoke City and for me, Robins is someone who can do that job. But it’ll take time.”
James Ray
“I think there’s a lot to take into account when looking at Stoke City’s recent plight.
“The main one is injuries. As has been well documented, the Potters are without a host of players who would usually be starters, and key ones at that. That’s not to say those who have come in are poor players, but it has impacted the cohesiveness and consistency of performances.
“Secondly, I do feel that a drop off like this was somewhat inevitable. Mark Robins is a great manager, but the squad was not viewed as one capable of finishing in the top six at the start of the season, and even with injuries out of the equation, it isn’t now either.
“The slide is disappointing, and Robins is not immune to criticism, but better days are to come. They have progressed under his lead and sacking him now would just put the Potters back to square one yet again.
“Granted, things have been bad recently, but Stoke City should not sack Robins.”
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