Steven Thomas Schumacher (born 30 April 1984) is an English football manager and former professional footballer. He is the head coach of club Bolton Wanderers.
He graduated from the youth sides at Everton, and during his playing career his clubs included Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra, Bury, Fleetwood Town, Stevenage and Southport. He also had loan spells early in his career with Carlisle United and Oldham Athletic.
He started his coaching career as caretaker at Southport and later managed Plymouth Argyle. With Plymouth, Schumacher won the League One title in 2022–23. He left for Stoke City in 2023 and then on to Bolton Wanderers in 2025.
Playing career Everton Born in Liverpool, Schumacher attended Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School and began his career at Everton after starting out in apprenticeship there and was captain of the England Under 19s while he was playing in the club's youth team. Along with Wayne Rooney, Schumacher featured in Everton's eight-game run to the 2002 FA Youth Cup.
He was unable to break into the first team, however, and as a result went out to a couple of minor loan spells to get first team experience. Schumacher joined Carlisle United on loan on 31 October 2003. Schumacher spent three months on loan at Carlisle United, where he made four appearances and scored his first career goal against Huddersfield Town in the Football League Trophy.
After his loan spell at Carlisle United came to an end, Schumacher went on trial at Oldham Athletic in February 2004, but was unsuccessful. Schumacher found himself in loan move battle between Bury and Oldham Athletic, but ultimately joined Oldham Athletic on a one-month deal. However, Schumacher made no appearances for the club and returned to his parent club on 6 April 2004, which he later explained his decision, citing lack of first team opportunities.
After his loan spell at Oldham Athletic came to an end, Schumacher played in the reserves for the rest of the season. During a reserve match against Sunderland in April 2004, Schumacher collided with Paul Thirlwell, resulting in Thirlwell being stretchered off. At the end of the 2003–04 season, Schumacher was released by the club. During his time at Everton, he represented both England U16 and England U19.
Bradford City After leaving Everton, Schumacher went on trial at Bradford City and impressed the club's management sufficiently that he was offered and signed a two–year contract with the club on 30 July 2004.
Schumacher made his Bradford City debut, where he played 90 minutes, in a 2–1 loss against Hartlepool United in the opening game of the season. He then scored his first Bradford City goal, on 18 September 2004, in a 4–1 win over Bristol City. Since making his Bradford City debut, Schumacher has accrued a reputation as a fiercely competitive midfielder, equally adept in a holding or attacking role. His best season so far was the 2004–05 season, making over 40 first team starts, and scoring freely from his role in the Bantams midfield, scoring five more goals against Tranmere Rovers, Wrexham, Walsall, Stockport County and AFC Bournemouth. Despite suffering injuries along the way, he went on to make forty–six appearances and scoring six times in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2005–06 season, Schumacher signed a two-year contract with Bradford City, keeping him until 2007. He started the season well, appearing in the first three league matches of the season until being sidelined with two separate injuries. Schumacher returned to the starting line–up on 17 September, in a 1–1 draw against Yeovil Town. In a follow–up match against West Bromwich Albion in the third round of the League Cup, he scored his first goal of the season, losing 4–1. Since returning from injuries, Schumacher regained his first team place for the rest of the year. He then scored a 30-yard screamer, in a 1–1 draw against Southend United on 10 December 2005. This lasted until Schumacher suffered a knock in the 41st minute and was substituted, in a 3–3 draw against Brentford on 3 January 2006. As a result, he was sidelined for the rest of January. On 4 February, he returned to the starting line–up against Colchester United and played 76 minutes, as the club lost 3–1. Schumacher later faced further sidelined with injuries and suspension. These restrictions of suspension and injuries combined saw him make thirty–five appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
In the 2006–07 season, Schumacher regained his first team place at Bradford City, playing in the midfield position. He then scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Tranmere Rovers on 30 September 2006. Schumacher's goal scoring form continues, scoring five more goals later in the 2006–07 season against Brighton & Hove Albion, Port Vale, Tranmere Rovers, Brentford and Bristol City. During a match against Chesterfield on 28 April 2007, Schumacher caused controversy when he swore directly to Bradford City. As a result, Schumacher apologised for his action and was fined by the club. After Bradford City's relegation to League Two, Schumacher made forty-four appearances, having missed two games, due to suspension.
Schumacher's Bradford contract expired and he left the club on 18 May 2007, as he was not thought to be in new Bradford City manager Stuart McCall's plans, speculation indicated that he could have been offered a new contract by the club in a change of heart by McCall and owner Julian Rhodes.
Crewe Alexandra However, Schumacher soon signed for Crewe Alexandra for a nominal fee a week after leaving Bradford City. Upon joining the club, he was given a number seven shirt ahead of a new season.
Schumacher made his Crewe Alexandra debut in the opening game of the season, playing 90 minutes, in a 2–1 win against Brighton Hove & Albion. Three weeks later on 1 September 2007, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–1 draw against Swindon Town. Schumacher became a first team regular in the first two months at Crewe Alexandra until he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for three months On 19 January 2008, Schumacher made his first team return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against Carlisle United. His return was short–lived when he later suffered injuries on two occasions later in the 2007–08 season, but remained on the first team spotlight towards end of the season. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Schumacher made twenty–nine appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
At the start of the 2008–09 season, Schumacher's first team opportunity soon become restricted, as he found his playing time, coming from the substitute bench. Schumacher scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–0 win against Macclesfield Town in the first round of the Football League Trophy. This lasted until he suffered an ankle injury, resulting in him having an operation, and was sidelined for four months. On 21 February 2009 Schumacher made his first team return for Crewe Alexandra, coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute in a 3–1 win over Huddersfield Town. A week later on 28 February 2009, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 4–0 win over Brighton. Two weeks later on 10 March 2009, Schumacher scored his third goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Walsall. However, his return was short-lived when he suffered a knee injury during a match against Leeds United and was sidelined between four and six weeks. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Schumacher went on to make nineteen appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2009–10 season, Schumacher managed to regain his first team place at Crewe under the management of Dario Gradi despite facing competition from Ashley Westwood. He then scored four more goals by the end of 2009, scoring against Rotherham United, Bradford City, Cheltenham Town and Morecambe. However, Schumacher suffered injuries on four occasions throughout the 2009–10 season. Despite this, he continued to remain in the first team for the club. At the end of the 2009–10 season, Schumacher went on to make 33 appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.
In May 2010, it was announced that he would leave Crewe Alexandra when his contract expired in the summer. He had played 81 times in his three years at the club.
Bury Following his release by Crewe Alexandra, Schumacher signed for Bury on 8 July 2010, signing a two-year contract. Shortly after, he was appointed as the new club captain at the club.
Schumacher made his debut for Bury, as well as, captain, against Port Vale and started the whole game, in a 1–0 loss in the opening game of the season. He then started in the next five matches before being sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 3–0 loss against Crewe Alexandra on 11 September 2010. After serving a one match suspension, Schumacher returned to the starting line–up against Cheltenham Town on 25 September 2010 and helped the club win 2–0. In a follow–up match against Morecambe on 28 September 2010, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–1 win. Since returning from suspension, Schumacher regained his first team place for the club. On 16 October 2010 he scored his second goal of the season in a 4–3 win against Torquay United. Schumacher's goalscoring form continued when he scored against Aldershot Town, Shrewsbury Town and Hereford United. His runs in the first team lasted until Schumacher was sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 0–0 draw against Port Vale on 26 March 2011. After serving a two match suspension, he returned to the first team, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 1–0 win against Burton Albion on 12 April 2011. Schumacher led Bury to promotion from League Two following a 3–2 win against Chesterfield on 25 April 2011. In the last game of the season, he scored a brace with a 3–3 draw against Stevenage. Despite suffering from injuries during the 2010–11 season, Schumacher finished his first season at the club, making forty–six appearances and scoring nine times in all competitions.
After appearing in the opening game of the 2011–12 season, Schumacher, however, tore his calf muscle during a match against Coventry City in the first round of the League Cup and was substituted in the 31st minute, as Bury won 3–1. Following this, it was announced that he was sidelined for six weeks. After returning to training in late–September, he made his return to the first team on 8 October, coming on as a late substitute in a 2–0 win against Exeter City. Since returning from injury, he regained his first team place in the first team, as well as, his captaincy. Schumacher scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–2 win over Walsall on 19 November 2011. Shortly after, he signed a two-year contract with the club, keeping him until 2014. Schumacher later added five more goals, including a 3–2 brace win against Yeovil Town on 20 January 2012. However, he suffered a hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for three matches due to injury, Schumacher regained his first team place and under his leadership, he helped the club survive relegation, finishing in 14th place. At the end of the 2011–12 season, Schumacher made thirty-four appearances and scoring six times in all competitions.