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.

However, fans have already voiced their opinions, primarily through social media

posts like “One normal day as a Sunderland fan is all I ask” and general disbelief.

 

“Wondering if everyone could just forget the whole thing if he gave back the 30

pieces of silver with interest,” another person replied, and another added: “I’d

rather win the lottery then lose my ticket.”

 

“He can go sit in the job center,” said Paul Russell. His departure was a disgrace. We shouldn’t even give it a thought.”

Craig Jackson: “No, I believe Margaret makes a really good cup of tea. There’s

no reason to swap her out. You mean as manager, I see. Definitely not.”

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

 

DA Parker: “Alex Neil is immediately ruled out of consideration for the position of head coach because the club needs nearly unanimous consent following the appointment of Michael Beale. I would never have him back after the way we left the club, even if I adored him while he was here.”

 

Christopher Bartley: “There’s a reason that didn’t work out. It won’t work out again because nothing has changed. Would likewise begin with a bad background, just like Beale did. There are tons more fish in the sea.

 

Steve A: “Let them continue their recruitment efforts in the background. The next meeting must take place on Speakman.and he needs time to make sure the proper person gets in. I say this partly because if something goes wrong, there are no justifications for choosing a dud.”

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!?”