Stoke City have sacked head coach Steven Schumacher following Saturday's Championship defeat by Oxford United.

The 1-0 loss was the Potters' third Championship defeat of the season, and leaves them 13th in the table with just two wins from their five games.

It brings Schumacher’s tenure as Stoke boss to an end after just nine months, having left Plymouth Argyle to take the job in December.

Stoke's sporting director Jon Walters said the decision was made to "serve the long-term interests" of the club.

“As always in football, these decisions are difficult," Walters added., external

The narrow loss at Oxford was Stoke's first match back after September's international break, and followed back-to-back wins.

Schumacher oversaw victory against his former side Plymouth before the break, and that victory came after a thumping 5-0 Carabao Cup win against fellow Championship side Middlesbrough on 27 August.

Before being beaten by Oxford, the only other games Stoke had lost this season were against West Bromwich Albion and Watford - sides which are top and fifth in the table respectively.