"Biggest club in League One" - Exclusive: Don Goodman drops Bolton Wanderers, Steven Schumacher claim | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Don Goodman weighs in on Bolton Wanderers' promotion chances ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Don Goodman believes that Bolton Wanderers under Steven Schumacher have a good chance to win automatic promotion from League One next season.

The former Plymouth Argyle boss, who won the third division of English football with 101 points two years ago, will be given his first full transfer window in charge of the Trotters this summer.

The 41-year-old took the reins at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in late January, which gave him little time to even remotely think about signings.

After a disappointing end to the 2024/25 campaign which saw Bolton miss out on the play-offs all together, there will be a renewed sense of optimism around the club next season.

With Fergal Harkin joining the club as sporting director, it could be a very exciting summer for Wanderers supporters, who'll be hoping that this season will finally be the year they end their stay in League One.

Don Goodman makes honest claim on Bolton Wanderers next season

Football League World exclusively spoke to former Sunderland striker turned Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman, and quizzed him on whether he thought Bolton would be a contender for automatic promotion next season.

The 59-year-old told FLW: “There’s a chance that I could argue that Bolton Wanderers will arguably be the biggest club in League One next season.

“Obviously, there are other clubs that may dispute that.

“But yes, in a word, I do think that Steven Schumacher’s pedigree at League One level, Bolton Wanderers as a club, hopefully the resources they’ll be able to give him, a transfer window, a pre-season should all help Steven Schumacher have Bolton fighting for a top two spot in League One."

As Goodman highlighted, there are plenty of positive factors that will likely benefit the Lancashire side heading into next season, and Schumacher will be hoping to do a successful rebuild this summer.

Work on the squad has already begun, with a clear out of some long-serving players ahead of what will be a busy transfer window for the former Premier League outfit.

Bolton will fancy their chances after Birmingham City and Wrexham promotions

The Hollywood spotlight was firmly on the third tier last season, with both Birmingham City and Wrexham bringing lots of attention from across the globe thanks to their superstar shareholders.

With both clubs promoted to the Championship, League One will no longer be in the spotlight next season, and the attention will shift back to the Championship.

With that in mind, Bolton will fancy their chances ahead of the 2025-26 season. Being one of the biggest clubs in the division next season, Wanderers will feel that there's nothing to fear heading into their next campaign.

They will face tough competition from relegated clubs such as Plymouth, Cardiff City, and Luton Town will be likely, and established League One clubs such as Reading, Barnsley, and Stockport County.

But truthfully, Bolton have no reason to feel that promotion isn't a genuine possibility. The addition of Harkin will be key, as he will be integral to what could be a very successful transfer window.

Schumacher also has all the minerals to once again succeed in League One, if Bolton give him the resources to do so. His league-winning campaign with Plymouth was incredible, and the Whites will be hoping to recreate that next term.