Just sat through the first half of a dreadful panto (ended up listening to music from my phone) and now escaped to the bar and see this - cheered me up no end! I'll be eternally grateful for the play-off win, but can't help thinking he and Stoke have now found out that he isn't the magician they thought he was. Sunderland were a good side thrown into turmoil and just needed someone to steady the ship. His short period in charge of us in the championship wasn't showing a lot of promise and it took Mowbray to polish the rough diamond that we were. Stoke just re-proved the adage that you can't polish a turd, not even using another one!
Perhaps Stoke should offer the job to Tony Mowbray. He has a good record of imporoving what Alex leaves behind
We were second when Johnson was sacked I think, and finished sixth. But we finished well. His main contribution, for which I'll always be grateful, was in sending out a calm and well prepared team in three big games. He got us over the line, and that meant we signed Clarke permanently, signed Roberts, kept Stewart, even if to sell later, kept Neil, signed Ballard etc etc. We had to get up to do those things I think and he helped in that , no doubt. But off he jolly well went and that worked for us as well, though not it turns out for him.
Neil won’t care. Got his payoff. His credibility and reputation are however shot to bits. Hope he ends up in L2.
It'd bother me. We've all got pride and football managers probably have more than your average bloke. Added to which he's had a fair crack at it with a decent team and completely ballsed it up. I doubt he's laughing it off and lining up his next job.
He had all the backing he could've wanted at Stoke with owners who'd targeted him ... ... he's taken them to their lowest point.
28th August 2022 Stoke joint-chairman John Coates said Neil was the club's "number one choice" in the search for a new manager. "I'm delighted that we have secured his services so quickly," he said. "His managerial pedigree is excellent with three promotions already on his CV, and we are looking forward to working closely with him to help him to realise the ambitions that he and the club share." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62700286
I think someone said he'll end up back in Jockland.... absolutely agree, he will manage world beaters such as Dundee, Motherwell or Livingston...
Never let it be said that Stoke don't think outside the box and look for new and interesting managers
