Champion League
Sunderland: Alex Neil could join Stoke

Sunderland may very well be set for an enormous blow simply 5 video games into the Championship season, with experiences linking Alex Neil with the vacant Stoke Metropolis job.
What’s the phrase?
Stoke introduced earlier this week that Michael O’Neill had been sacked after a disappointing begin to the season for the Potters, which has seen them decide up simply 4 factors from their opening 5 league fixtures.
Sunderland could effectively have been a catalyst within the Northern Irishman dropping his job, as Ross Stewart’s objective noticed the Black Cats decide up three factors away to Stoke final weekend.
Sadly, that win could have proved expensive for the Wearsiders, as Sky Sports activities journalist Keith Downie has now offered an replace on the Potters’ seek for a brand new supervisor.
He tweeted on Friday morning: “Perceive Sunderland boss Alex Neil has been given permission to talk to Stoke over their vacant managerial place. O’Neill was sacked by The Potters yesterday, and Neil’s inventory is excessive following a powerful 6 months at SAFC. “
Downie added: “I’m informed Sunderland are hoping they’ll preserve Neil and inside conversations are happening on these grounds”, additionally stating: “Anticipating talks to happen between Neil & Stoke at this time. Horrible timing for Sunderland on the eve of the go to of Norwich. Nevertheless, I’m informed Neil isn’t the one supervisor Stoke are contemplating.”
Will Neil keep or go?
Might be a “shame”
Neil has been a revelation since becoming a member of Sunderland final season, serving to the Black Cats to earn promotion from League One through the play-offs earlier than beginning the brand new marketing campaign in wonderful trend.
The Black Cats at present sit within the Championship play-off locations after dropping simply one among their opening 5 matches, with wins towards Stoke and Bristol Metropolis to their title.
The previous Preston boss has won 12 of his 24 games in charge on the Stadium of Mild, dropping simply thrice, which reveals that he has made Sunderland a really tough crew to beat, and it will be a major blow if he have been to depart after such a powerful begin to the brand new marketing campaign.
Sunderland-supporting journalist Josh Bunting could have summed up the views of many on Wearside relating to Neil’s potential departure, tweeting: “If Sunderland enable this to occur, If and large if Alex Neil strikes on. Then the board and homeowners must be significantly questioned. He’s been the very best supervisor at this membership for a few years and to let him go if he does this simply could be an absolute shambles. Could be a shame.”
Subsequently, loads of Black Cats supporters will certainly be desperately hoping that the popular Neil rejects Stoke with a view to keep at Sunderland this summer time, as it will undoubtedly hurt their membership’s probabilities of season in the event that they have been compelled to swap managers so early within the marketing campaign as they turn out to be reacquainted with life again within the Championship.