Football Season Guide

Plymouth Argyle were unable to hold on to their Championship status after a series of questionable managerial appointments. The Pilgrims survived by the skin of their teeth on the final day of the 2023/24 season having failed to recover from the departure of manager Steven Schumacher in December 2023. Ian Foster lasted less than three months and last summer saw the bizarre appointment of Wayne Rooney. It was an all-too predictable failure and he was sacked on New Year’s Eve. Miron Muslic made a real impact, with a memorable F.A. Cup win over Liverpool, but he was unable to undo the mess he inherited. He wasn’t helped by the loss of key striker Morgan Whittaker in January and Argyle were eventually relegated. Muslic was soon tempted away by fallen Germany giants Schalke 04 leaving another managerial vacancy. Having twice broken their transfer record in January, centre-back Maksym Talovierov and midfielder Michael Baidoo, both have left this summer, the former joining Stoke City and the latter packed off to Qatar side Umm Salal SC on a season-long loan. Striker Ryan Hardie has been sold to Wrexham, much to the dismay of the fans, whilst goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw has signed for Norwich City. The unenviable task of sorting out this mess has been taken on by Tom Cleverley. The former Manchester United academy graduate was considered unlucky to lose his job at Watford and has started the process of building his squad. The capture of midfielder Caleb Watts from local rivals Exeter City was an audacious bit of business which will add even further fuel to the fire in the Devon derbies. It is the signing of centre-back Brendan Wiredu-Sarpong that could be the most important however following impressive performances whilst at Fleetwood Town. Cleverly has brought in strikers Aribim Pepple and Owen Oseni however there is still a need to strength an attack that will miss the departed Hardie.