Bolton Wanderers will be making a great hire in Steven Schumacher, according to Carlton Palmer, who is certain the former Stoke City player will lead the Trotters to the League One playoffs if he takes over at the Tough Sheet Stadium.

The 40-year-old was about to be hired by Wanderers, who had split from longtime manager Ian Evatt earlier this month, according to an exclusive report published by Football League World yesterday.

Palmer, who already has a triumph from the third division with Plymouth Argyle on his resume, thinks the possible hire will benefit the former Premier League team, who now finish outside the top six on goal differential.

Carlton Palmer tips Steven Schumacher for Bolton Wanderers success

Although there hasn’t been a formal announcement yet, Schumacher is expected to take over the Trotters in the next few days in an attempt to revitalize his own career following a turbulent tenure as Stoke City’s manager.

The former Bury player departed Home Park to join the Potters in December 2023, but he was fired in September of last year after just nine months in the position, despite winning two of the Championship season’s opening five games.

With a striking football style and a successful early managing career, Palmer can only see benefits for Bolton should the rumored appointment materialize.

The ex-Stoke Wednesday player declared: “Bolton Wanderers fans will be thrilled,” Needless to say, I was disappointed to see Ian Evatt go from the club. In my opinion, he has performed admirably over the years, but things had changed in his favor.

It appears that Steven Schumacher will take over as Bolton Wanderers’ manager in the future. It is a fantastic appointment, in my opinion, as they are tied for the last play-off spot.

“Schumacher is a great coup for them because he understands what it takes to get out of this division.”

“He led Plymouth Argyle to the League One title ahead of Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town side in the 22/23 season, and he also held his own in the Championship with the Pilgrims and then the Potters.”

Carlton Palmer backs Bolton Wanderers for play-off push

Wanderers are in a great position going into the second half of the season, with the top six still within touching distance, despite the fact that the atmosphere surrounding Evatt had soured during his tenure at the club.

Stockport County currently holds the top spot with just three more points than the Trotters, who are tied for sixth place with Leyton Orient. However, the O’s do have a game in hand over their opponents.

Palmer is certain that a third consecutive top six finish is in store if Schumacher is hired, despite the fact that Bolton is 14 points clear of the automatic promotion spots making a good finish to the season.

“I felt that his dismissal at Stoke was extremely harsh,” he added. Bolton has a fantastic appointment, in my opinion, and it increases their chances of making the playoffs.

Given these top-ranked teams, I believe it will take a while for them to receive an automatic promotion. I believe it will be difficult for Wycombe, Birmingham, and Wrexham to earn automatic promotion, but they will undoubtedly be in the playoffs with Steven Schumacher. That’s what I’ll do.

“You never know until the playoffs start. He has shown that he can bring in players and get the most out of them on a shoestring.

“Look at Morgan Whittaker; he brought him to Plymouth Argyle, where he was a revelation. This is a great appointment, and Bolton fans should be thrilled for the season’s second half.