Manager outlines priorities before Championship return
Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher says the club still has recruitment to complete to ensure the squad is equipped for the step up to the Championship. Speaking as the team began a pre-season trip to Slovakia, the head coach stressed that adding the right profiles remains a focus while backing the core of the group that earned promotion via May’s play-off final.
“We’ve set our sights on trying to make us a team who are dynamic and can go and compete at this level so we’ve got a bit of work to do from a recruitment point of view, but we also feel the lads in the squad from last year, a lot of them are capable of making the step up.”
Wanderers return to the second tier for the first time in seven years after beating Stockport County at Wembley. Schumacher said his previous experience of managing in the Championship will inform the club’s approach as they adapt to the division’s pace and physicality.
“Having the experience helps because it was a bit of a surprise when I first went up with Plymouth Argyle and how physical, how quick, how competitive every game is.”
Why Slovakia, and what it means for Bolton’s build-up
The club’s pre-season is intensifying with a training base in Slovakia, concluding with a match against DAC 1904 on Friday. Schumacher explained the choice of venue came after their preferred Marbella site could not be secured for the dates required. He also took a recommendation from Portsmouth manager John Mousinho, whose side used the facilities last summer.
“Around February or March, this opportunity came about in Slovakia. Portsmouth went there last year and I asked their manager John Mousinho about it and he gave me the lowdown – it ticks the boxes with good facilities and will hopefully be a bit cooler than the south of Spain will be.”
For supporters, the key takeaway is that Bolton are prioritising high-intensity work and match sharpness in cooler conditions, aiming to bed in tactical principles and assess player fitness while further additions are being lined up. The game against DAC offers a controlled test of shape and tempo against a top-flight Slovak opponent.
Recruitment focus: balancing continuity with upgrades
Schumacher’s message suggests a two-track strategy: build on the chemistry of last season’s promotion winners while targeting signings who increase athleticism and adaptability. The Championship demands squad depth over 46 league games, and physical resilience is at a premium. The manager’s emphasis on being "dynamic" signals a need for pace across the pitch and the ability to transition quickly – traits that help newly-promoted sides compete out of possession and exploit space when chances arise.
At the same time, the coaching staff’s confidence in the existing core indicates that several players are expected to bridge the gap in level. The challenge over the next few weeks is to identify where upgrades are essential – often in areas like ball progression, pressing intensity and defensive recovery – without losing the cohesion that underpinned last season’s success.
Key dates and what’s next
Wanderers will use the Slovakia camp to refine conditioning and assess combinations before returning to England for the final phase of preparations. The opening fixture against a well-established Championship opponent will demand a fast start.
| Event | Opponent/Location | Date/Time (BST) |
|---|---|---|
| Training camp | Slovakia | This week |
| Pre-season friendly | DAC 1904 | Friday |
| Championship opener | Preston North End (Home) | Saturday 15 August, 12:30 |
What fans should watch for
- Transfer activity: Moves aimed at adding pace, versatility and Championship experience.
- Tactical tweaks: Signs of a more dynamic, press-ready approach during the Slovakia friendly.
- Squad integration: How returning promotion winners blend with any new arrivals through pre-season.
Schumacher’s insistence on further work in the market is a reminder that pre-season is as much about smart recruitment as it is about fitness. The manager’s experience of the division’s demands frames the task in front of Bolton: preserve the momentum of promotion while sharpening the squad to meet a higher standard every week.
Bolton’s preparations continue abroad before the focus returns to the Toughsheet for the Lancashire meeting with Preston North End. Supporters can hear more from the camp and interviews with the manager via BBC Sounds, as the countdown to the club’s Championship return gathers pace.
