A huge development emerges amid Sunderland’s stance to their boss Alex Neil being linked with the Stoke City manager’s job this week.
The Potters are currently searching for a new manager after the dismissal of Michael O’Neill and TEAMtalk understands Alex Neil, Chris Wilder and Joey Barton are on the club’s shortlist.
O’Neill was got rid of on Thursday after a poor start to the season after losing three of their first five league games and were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League One side Morecambe on Tuesday.
That proved to be the final straw for Stoke chairman John Coates, who claimed the Championship club now want “to move in a different direction”.
Sunderland boss Alex Neil has been given permission to speak to Stoke over their vacant managerial position.
Source: @SkySports_Keith
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🔴⚪️🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/dIYU6pl711
— We are Stoke (@weare_stoke) August 26, 2022
The former Northern Ireland boss is the first second tier manager to be sacked this season. His assistant manager Dean Holden will take charge on an interim basis against Blackburn on Saturday.
In the meantime Stoke are working on a list of replacements who will have the likes of Dwight Gayle and Liam Delap to work with.
Stoke Live claim Coates is planning for a quick appointment, preferably before the transfer window closes on the 1st of September.
TEAMtalk add that Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder is on their wanted list, but it’s Alex Neil, who went to the top of Sky Bet’s odds for next Stoke manager just hours after the sacking, the top target.
Keith Downie of Sky Sports tweeted on Friday morning: “Understand Sunderland boss Alex Neil has been given permission to speak to Stoke over their vacant managerial position. O’Neill was sacked by The Potters yesterday, and Neil’s stock is high following an impressive 6 months at #SAFC.
“I’m told Sunderland are hoping they can keep Neil and internal conversations are taking place on those grounds.
“Expecting talks to take place between Neil & Stoke today. Terrible timing for Sunderland on the eve of the visit of Norwich. However I’m told Neil isn’t the only manager Stoke are considering #SAFC.”
🚨 Understand Sunderland boss Alex Neil has been given permission to speak to Stoke over their vacant managerial position. O’Neill was sacked by The Potters yesterday, and Neil’s stock is high following an impressive 6 months at #SAFC
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) August 26, 2022
CURRENT ODDS:
Alex Neil – 4/9
Sean Dyche – 3/1
Slaven Bilic – 12/1
Chris Wilder – 14/1
Dean Holden – 14/1
Daniel Farke – 16/1
Duncan Ferguson – 18/1
Joey Barton – 18/1
John Terry – 18/1
Mark Robins – 18/1
Fans gave their reaction as a huge development emerges amid Sunderland’s stance to their boss being linked with the Stoke City job…
@MartysafcLane: So a day before a big game that could see us go top with the early kick off, & a week before the window shuts, our manager is having a cosy chat with Stoke? Could only happen to Sunderland this ffs. We can’t have nice things ever.. #safc
@Leigh_Brettwood:
Hmmm seems a very strange situation.
1. Why Alex Neil would even want to talk too other clubs if he is 100% happy & committed to the club?
2. Why the club would even give him permission to speak too another club considering the job he done so far?
Very odd goings on 🤦🏼♂️#SAFC
@mickroper81: Don’t think he was first choice when given the job, has worked wonders and deserves stability and security! Demonstrated what he can do, hope the club can put trust in him and give him long term deal so he can properly settle in area with family #safc
@Joecsmith11: I’m hoping its just a ploy by him to get a better deal, all bias removed why would he leave Sunderland for Stoke.. clubs both going in opposite directions #safc #scfc
@NikkiJude: If it’s ‘permission to speak’ to Stoke that’s a WHOLE heap better than he’s off already. N how would the club deny him that permission? Right, gonna KTF that what we’re building here, that’s he’s such a big part of, outweighs what Stoke can offer ❤🤍🤞 #SAFC
@DanielStokell1: With the current situation at the club right now, every single fan should be in that stadium tomorrow and have the SoL absolutely bouncing. Show Alex Neil why him even thinking about leaving this club is a mistake.
@_DavidGill: Absolute joke if we can’t provide want Alex Neil wants to keep him at the club. Him and Ross Stewart should have been tied down months ago. We simply have to meet both of their demands, no matter what! #SAFC
@MiserableMackem: Have we given Neil permission to talk to Stoke because he’s asked to leave? I don’t see any other reason why any half competent boardroom would allow the best manager we’ve had in years just walk out. He hasn’t been backed properly. Let’s just have it straight. #SAFC
@MiserableMackem: We’ve seen some implosion at #SAFC over the years. We really have. This will top the lot. KLD and Speakman will be chased out of Sunderland quicker than someone in Hendon wearing a Mag shirt if Neil leaves.
@JordanGowling29: If the club doesn’t give him an improved permanent contract this is on them, absolute joke of a football club #safc
@BillyBuckets97: Hahahaha Stoke bigger than Sunderland
@DanEvans83: Why would anyone leave Sunderland for Stoke?
@dan_hazza: HAHAHHAHAHA the mackems will be totally fuming.
@Ryan__Kelly97: I think even as a Newcastle fan I find it mad that he would consider leaving Sunderland for Stoke.
@MJacko1989: We can’t stop him from talking to Stoke because we’ve only got him on a rolling contract. Something Speakman said would be fine if this thing never actually happened🤷🏼♂️ #SAFC
@jones966: I will be disappointed if the @stokecity board do not try everything to get Sean Dyche. Chuck some cash at him like we did with wimmer, vokes, afobe & imbula. There’s no money for a good manager but plenty for the aforementioned 🤣. We can still stay within ffp #SCFC
@etommofc: Why would you leave Sunderland for Stoke? Seems mad to me that one if it goes ahead.
@TomWilcock8: If Neil chooses to go to Stoke itll be a blow..but were in a much better position to hire a new manager than when we hired him. Lets see how it plays out #safc
@StephenBerming: Moving onto bigger and better things 👏👏
@Mickygraham87: Brucey will be out of a job soon. Could be fate
@RANGERS_1983: Why on earth would you leave Sunderland for Stoke?!
@JakeDavison15: If we let Alex Neil go to bloody Stoke then we probably go down because nobody will come in and get these players fired up like him. Season dome if he goes personally #SAFC
@ModHos: Well, if Neil goes, it truly is one of the most shambolic things to happen to this club. Big Sam was different, it was England. This is Stoke fucking City. This once again highlights that we’re tan by complete charlatans. Just as I was loving it again. #SAFC
@clem1291: As a mag this is bizarre. He’s had a good start to championship. Yes Stoke are established in the division but it just doesn’t make any sense why he would want to speak to them.
@KrisWall92: No matter what happens I think one glaring issue remains at #safc – the hierarchy would still put the process before the manager in any situation (hence Neil’s length of contract). They clearly think the process led to our promotion. I’d argue it helped but it was 90% the manager
@IanMarshall86: I’m a Newcastle Fan so don’t say this lightly… but why on earth would anyone leave Sunderland for Stoke 😂
@KeithFenwick10: Fuck me it’s rough being a Sunderland fan atm 😂😂
@Chris_Dixon_83: As much as I hate to say it, Sunderland surely the better option of the 2? Be surprised if he switched
@williamsSAFC: Soon as you dare to get excited about #SAFC again you get shit on from a height. Allardyce all over again
@samsonplace: If Alex Neil is seriously considering a massive backward step in moving to Stoke then either we are better off without him if he’s not committed or there are major problems at the club. Time will tell which one #safc
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