Mark Hughes’ ‘Real Coup’ Gamble Backfires as Stoke City Suffers Costly Eight-Figure Loss
Stoke City’s costly transfer of Kevin Wimmer in 2017 stands out as a defining misstep in their journey toward relegation from the Premier League. Acquired for a hefty £18 million from Tottenham Hotspur, Wimmer arrived with high expectations from manager Mark Hughes, who described the Austrian center-back as a “real coup” who would enhance Stoke’s defensive line. However, Wimmer struggled to meet these expectations, and by the season’s end, Stoke’s defense had faltered, contributing to their drop from the top flight. Following Hughes’ dismissal, Wimmer was further sidelined under new management, failing to make a first-team appearance as Stoke descended into the Championship. After multiple unsuccessful loan spells and a quiet departure in 2021, Wimmer’s time at Stoke became a painful reminder of the club’s ill-fated transfer decisions.
