Plymouth Argyle set for big Miron Muslic exit blow as Schalke development emerges | OneFootball

Schalke have activated Plymouth Argyle manager Miron Muslic's release clause

Schalke have activated Plymouth Argyle manager Miron Muslic’s release clause.

The German giants finished 14th in Bundesliga 2 last term, and were just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Schalke have been without a manager since dismissing Kees van Wonderen in early May, but now look to have found their man.

Schalke activate Miron Muslic’s release clause

According to Fabrizio Romano via X, Schalke have activated a clause to appoint Miron Muslic as their new head coach.

Hull City, Köln and Hannover were also keen on the Plymouth manager who’s now due to join Schalke.

Argyle had hoped to keep the 42-year-old following their relegation to League One, but Schalke have acquired the manager’s services for next season.

Muslic joined the Pilgrims in January following Wayne Rooney’s dismissal and immediately re-energised the club, masterminding their famous FA Cup upset over Premier League champions Liverpool.

Plymouth ended the Championship campaign 11th in the form table, and despite suffering relegation by three points, hoped to bounce straight back under Muslic.

However, his instant impact has caught the eye of admirers around the world, and he will now swap Home Park for the Veltins-Arena.

Muslic had demanded answers from Plymouth

Although this news will be hard for Argyle fans to take, the writing had been on the wall since the end of the season.

Muslic inferred that the club needed to make major additions over the summer, specifically bringing in a sporting director and adding to the recruiting team, in order to consider staying.

The 42-year-old took to X to state more clearly his love for the club and that his comments were fueled by frustration over Argyle's impending drop to League One.

However, Muslic did not say that he would be the head coach of the Pilgrims next season – with him ultimately joining Schalke.

"I have fallen in love with the football club from when I had my first experience of it in London all those months ago," Muslic remarked.

"Today in my press conference, I was over passionate with emotions still running high from our imminent relegation to League One and how much I care for Argyle and the Green Army and how committed I am to the club and its future.

"I want the best for Argyle and we are all frustrated with what’s happened but now we need to put it right.”

Argyle have since issued a statement on their official site amid the emerging news, which states:

Argyle can confirm that we have reluctantly allowed Head Coach Miron Muslic to open talks with a 2. Bundesliga side after he expressed his desire to speak with the German team and not return to England.

Despite regular communication since the end of the season, and no mention of any issues, Miron has now made it clear that, after extended periods away from his family, this opportunity provides him the chance to be closer to them after four years on the road.

We are frustrated by this decision, having implemented clear structures, processes and personnel to aid Miron and his coaching staff as we look to return to the Sky Bet Championship at the earliest opportunity.

Not only that, the club have also moved quickly to bring in new signings and received repeated verbal promises from Miron that he was committed to Argyle and would do everything to help the club bounce back to the second tier.

Muslic joined the Greens in January 2025, on a three-and-a-half-year contract, after a period out of the game having departed Cercle Brugge. He will now leave Argyle just four months into that long-term commitment.

We wish him the best for his future career.