PLYMOUTH ARGYLE launched a furious statement after their manager “broke promises” to walk out for former Champions League semi-finalists.
Miron Muslic, 42, only took over at Home Park in January, replacing Wayne Rooney in the dugout.
He masterminded the famous FA Cup victory over Liverpool before a valiant defeat against Manchester City in the fifth round.
But the Bosnian was unable to avoid relegation from the Championship as Argyle finished 23rd – three points from safety.
However, the club were willing to stick by Muslic and had already began making plans to back him in League One and push for promotion next season.
That was until he suddenly told the Pilgrims he wanted to leave for FC Schalke in Germany’s second tier.
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And Argyle “reluctantly” gave him permission to enter negotiations with Schalke.
But their statement blasted Muslic for seemingly betraying his word months into his contract which ran until 2028.
Plymouth fumed: “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.
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“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.
“We will be making no further comment at this stage.”
In Muslic’s press conference after the final game of the season, he openly said he needed backing.
The club responded by appointing David Fox as head of football operations and Tom Randle – who Muslic had worked with previously – as head of recruitment.
Jamie Paterson and Caleb Watts signed last week – the former citing his conversations with Muslic as a major reason behind joining.
One fan took to Wikipedia to edit his page name to “Plymouth Snake” in response to the shock bombshell news, which will reportedly see Argyle receive £1million in compensation.
Seven-time top-flight runners-up Schalke suffered two relegations from the Bundesliga in three years from 2022 to 2024.
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They finished 14th in the 2 Bundesliga this term – with the likes of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius and Rasmus Hojlund’s brother Emil in the squad.
Die Konigsblauen are six-time German Cup winners, won the Uefa Cup in 1997 and reached the Champions League semis in 2011, losing 6-1 on aggregate to Manchester United.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
