It is “very unlikely” that Sunderland will rekindle their interest in one unemployed manager this summer.
Michael Beale was fired by Sunderland last week after just 12 games on the job—the team had lost half of those since December.
The club said that Mike Dodds will take over until the summer, giving them months to find the perfect permanent replacement, rather than selecting their third manager of the season.
There are many rumors that the Black Cats may make another go for the Reims coach at the end of the season, following reports that they held talks with may Still before Christmas.
Alex Neil is conceivably the most striking name that has been connected—and not in a good way.
Regarding Neil’s possible comeback, a lot of supporters have expressed their opinions, with the majority want for him to avoid the team as much as possible.
After all the turmoil Neil caused in 2022, former midfielder Carlton Palmer has now declared that it is “highly unlikely” that the Black Cats will pursue Neil again.
In an interview with Football League World, he stated: “Neil was doing very, extremely well at Sunderland and took the team out of League One through the play-offs. Before leaving to seek a job at Stoke, he criticized the club’s management and the transfer situation with the leadership.
“So, that’s not going to change, and I think the way that he left the football club was not in a good way and then his comments.
“So, I think it’s highly unlikely that Sunderland will revisit the Alex Neil situation, and again, I thought at the time, you know, I do rate Alex Neil as a manager, and he’s done very, very well at previous clubs, but it’s surprising how many times, when you, do walk out, and I understand his reasoning for doing so because obviously Tony Mowbray had the same problems with Sunderland, also he took over and got them in the Championship play-offs.
“He also questioned the hierarchy of the situation as regards transfers etc. and the way the club was run.
“But i think it’s very unlikely Sunderland would revisit and bring Alex Neil back and, unfortunately for Alex Neil, he moved on to Stoke, and he didn’t fare very well there given the opportunities that he was backed in the transfer market by that club.”
Should Sunderland consider appointing Alex Neil?
Alex Neil was a very good manager for us and who knows how he would do second time round – but that’s not the point.
Even if the former Norwich City boss could pick up where he left off, he completely disrespected the fans and the club and left us in limbo – thankfully, his successor proved to be a success, but there would be even more anger aimed at him if we had gone straight back down again.
Neil only wants to come back to Wearside now that he’s been sacked by Stoke and we certainly won’t be here with open arms to welcome him back into employment.
He made his bed and now he can lay in it.
