The former Stadium of Light chairman Sir Bob Murray criticized Tore Andre Flo’s transfer from Ibrox to Sunderland.
After a difficult stint in Glasgow, the forward joined the Black Cats on transfer deadline day at the start of the 2002–03 season.
Flo managed just four goals during that season as Sunderland was demoted, and the former Premier League commissioner expressed his anger at the decision as well as a chat he had with then-Ibrox chairman David Murray.
“We had won somewhere when the season had just begun. Leeds or anything. Then, on the final day before the deadline, Peter (Reid) requested Marcus Stewart, a seasoned player, and Flo. Regarding Flo’s move to Sunderland, former chairman Murray informed The Echo that Sunderland had “two proven frontmen.”
“Flo wasn’t interested in being here, despite being a wonderful value. He obviously didn’t want to be here, and that much was clear. He had left, and he didn’t want to be here
He had played for Chelsea and Rangers, and his career was coming to an end. We had a winning record when the season began. Leeds or anything.
The entire thing, including the body language. He was wealthy, and so were his wages. He didn’t give a damn. David Murray, a guy I’ve known since my time at Rangers, answered the phone and convinced me to buy him.
“I called him and yelled at him, saying, ‘How dare you sell me that plank for £8million.’ Bob, I paid $13 million for him, he remarked. It was obviously a poor season.
