Emphatic Sunderland response to Alex Neil ‘open to return

Former Stoke City manager Alex Neil has been linked with a move back to Sunderland following the exit of Michael Beale

After Michael Beale was fired, Alex Neil is reportedly “open to a return” to Sunderland, no matter how bold or implausible.

Upon leaving Sunderland for Stoke City in August 2022, after leading the team to promotion from League One through the play-offs, Neil faced a barrage of vitriol. He was lured to Stoke by the massive redevelopment project, having been disillusioned by the manager’s lack of authority at the Stadium of Light.

While Tony Mowbray, who took over for him in the North East, led Sunderland into the Championship play-offs before being fired by Beale in December, the Stoke rebuild did not proceed as planned. This occurred about the same time that Neil was resigning from his position at the bet365 Stadium.

Beale was a controversial hire, and he has since been fired, leaving Michael Dodds, Neil’s former coach, in control for the end of the season at the latest. Dodds is a full-time candidate for the role, but according to The Sun, Neil might be open to returning.

“We will be updating our supporters further as and when significant developments are made,” said a club statement released last week.

But supporters have already been having their say, with mostly incredulity across the board and posts on social media such as: “One normal day as a Sunderland fan is all I ask.”

“Wondering if everyone could just forget the whole thing if he gave back the 30 pieces of silver with interest,” said another while another said: “I’d rather win the lottery then lose my ticket.”

Paul Russell: “He can go sit in the job centre. The way he left was disgraceful. We shouldn’t even consider it.”

Craig Jackson: “No, I think the tea Margaret makes is absolutely fine. No need to replace her. Oh you mean as manager! Absolutely not.”

Benj Eckford: “Not gonna work, too much negativity and are we all forgetting he left because he doesn’t agree with the model.”

DA Parker: “On the back of the Michael Beale appointment, the club needs almost universal approval for the next head coach so that automatically rules Alex Neil out. I loved him when he was here but I would not have him back after how we went about leaving the club.”

Christopher Bartley: “Didn’t work out for a reason. Nothing has changed so won’t work out again. Like Beale, would also start with a negative backdrop. Plenty more fish in the sea.”

Steve A: “We need to let them get on with recruiting behind the scenes. This next appointment needs to be on Speakman and he should be given time to get the right person in. I say this in part because there can be no excuses for appointing a dud if it goes wrong.”

Martin Russell: “Tin hat on after what I watched last three games I’d swallow pride and have him back in a heartbeat.”

Liam Oxley: “I really would (like to see Neil back). He needs to eat some humble pie and almost apologise, but we all think the grass is greener at times. He messed up and knows it. Takes a big character to take it on mind? He knows he’d have to turn a lot of fans. I’d see what he has to say”

Alex Carlton: “Absolutely staggered by the amount of Sunderland fans that would welcome Alex Neil back as manager. Are we just forgetting what he did in the end!?”