We've had best player/worst player etc Best moments in history also....but who was in charge... Who has been the best manager of SAFC? Obviously the elder members will have more knowledge in this...but throughout the years, who has been the best manager..
Got to be Stokoe coz of the silverware. Durban was excellent and put together a great team on a shoestring - if only we had a chairman at the time who was prepared to support him more. Reid was 1st class in the two "7th" seasons - still do not understand why it all went wrong - though it started the moment Johnston went to Rangers and was not replaced. (ring any bells - AKA Bruce not replacing Bent/Jones) So in a nutshell:- Best - Stokoe 2nd - Durban 3rd - Reid (tied on 3rd is Denis Smith who was vastly underated and had no money to spend) Bart
Before my time but I'd say Dennis Smith was a hell of a lot more good than bad. Reid would easily be the best manager for me but like Bruce turned the club around and then started turning it round to what we were when he took over.
Been watching the lads since 1957 ... The most successful was Peter Reid with two finishes of 7th in the top Division. Stokoe was magnificent in winning the cup. He also got us promoted to the top division, but we were immediately relegated ... for a change Alan Durban seemed to be doing well, but as usual no support from millionnaire Tom Cowie .... Likewise there was no financial backing for Denis Smith from Bob Murray......... Common denominator ......... lack of financial investment at Board Level. We know of course that we need to live within our means ..... difficult to accept at times....
i've been going since 1976 and it's peter reid for me, some of the football we played under him was breathtaking, i've got a feeling though i'll be saying o'neill in 4 or 5 years
Has to be Peter Reid for me. If he had been given fund's the january we were flying, I reckon we could of been a European force for year's.
Born in 74 so missed out on Stokoe. Reid for me although just followed by Smith as saw most games then when living in Washington. How would Gabbiadini fare nowadays do you reckon? What happened to Kieron Brady? Probably saw one of the best goals away to Bradford by him. Seemed to take on about 5 players.
Denis Smith saved my club from going under imo. Took over at our lowest ever point and we could have gone the way of the Prestons, Burnleys and Blackpools, all big clubs of yesteryear. For that reason alone, I'll always call him the best. Durban and Reid (I've seen the best football under him) also did well and to be fair, Keane and Bruce have played their part in our last 5 years (both ultimately failed though). As said above though, ask this question in another 2 seasons and the name on everyone's lips will be Martin O'Neill. Of that I feel assured.
I've only been supporting Sunderland since Keane took over, so for that reason I'll go with Ricky Sbragia (no, seriously, I'd probably say MON)
In my years supporting Sunderland it has to be Stokoe. He took over a team with zero confidence and he made them feel unbeatable and won the FA Cup. I would than agree with Cest' Smith took a club that could have gone under and turned us around into a top flight club again. I will always appreciate the efforts of Reid as well. Ask this question in 3 years time...I feel MoN will be everyones favourite
