Bolton Wanderers have carried a heavy weight of expectation for several years now. This is a large club, averaging crowds of over 21,000 for three consecutive seasons, with aspirations of returning to the Premier League, where they spent 13 seasons in total. However, they have remained in League One for five seasons, the longest stretch in the club’s history in the third tier.
Two previous play-off campaigns ended in heartbreak: a semi-final loss to Barnsley in 2022/23, followed by a final defeat to Oxford in 2023/24. Steven Schumacher was not in charge for either, but he has been reminded of this recent history countless times as his side prepares for a crucial second leg against Bradford on Thursday night.
Bolton holds a 1-0 aggregate lead, thanks to a brilliant strike from Brighton loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry.
“I knew the expectation before I came because of the size of the club,” Schumacher said. “It’s a club we believe is bigger than this division, but this division is not easy to get out of. The demand to reach the Championship is there. Once you’re in the building, you can sense this is a club desperate to get to the next level. When you look at the size of both Bolton and Bradford and how well they are supported, both clubs are probably too big for League One. But that’s where we find ourselves, and one of us must find a way out.”
Schumacher made his name at Bradford between 2004 and 2007 after leaving Everton’s youth setup. “It’s a really good club and I enjoyed my time there. It got me going in the Football League, but all that goes to the back of my mind. They are a team with good momentum, having been in the top six for most of the season. They deserve huge credit. We’ve had four good games against them this season, and I’m sure there will be another. We know we have to concentrate the whole time if we’re going to get the result we need.”
There is another personal link: Bradford boss Graham Alexander was Schumacher’s manager at Fleetwood between 2013 and 2015. The pair maintain a good relationship and will likely share a drink after Thursday’s game, as they have already this season.
“I try to take a little from all the managers I’ve worked under. One of my biggest takeaways from Graham is how well-organized he was,” Schumacher added. “Everything was always set out, planned. There was a reason for every session and every tactic. The information he gave was really detailed, and I’ve tried to take that into my management career. You try to take as much as you can from everyone, good and bad influences, and that’s what I took from Graham. That’s what his team looks like as well.”
The pair went to Wembley in May 2014 when Fleetwood faced Burton in the League Two play-off final. Schumacher was a substitute that day and did not play, but Alexander’s team won, securing promotion to League One for the first time in their history.
“The promotion was the main thing. You have to put individual pride aside. When Graham left me out, I was disappointed and had to sit on the bench, but you try to be a good teammate. It’s not an easy role. I probably didn’t understand that then, but now I do. When Sarce scored the winner, the feeling was unbelievable.”
This time, only one will make it to Wembley. “It would mean everything to get to Wembley,” Schumacher said. “When I had the job interview, I was keen to come here because of the club’s capability. The objective was clear: try to get to the Championship. Then, there’s room to grow and compete in that division. It would mean everything to complete the first step in what’s going to be an exciting journey over the next few years.”
Has he looked further beyond? “You have to visualize. That’s the only way visions can come true. If you don’t believe you can do it, it can have a negative effect. But my focus can’t come too far away from the next game, which is a difficult one. That’s where my mind will be for now.”
With a slender lead, Schumacher currently sits in the driving seat in the race to the play-off final.