http://m.sunderlandecho.com/sport/s...l-breaks-silence-on-sunderland-exit-1-5560524 MARTIN OâNEILL has broken his silence on his Sunderland sacking, writes Chris Young. OâNeill was axed for the first time in his career last weekend after Ellis Short opted to bring the curtain down on the former Celtic managerâs 16 month-stint at the Stadium of Light. The 61-year-old claims he was âdisappointedâ by Shortâs decision and believes he should have been handed the chance to save Sunderland from relegation after performing the same feat last season. Speaking to the BBC, OâNeill said: âIâm still pretty disappointed and frustrated really as much as any thing else, but life goes on. âThe disappointment element more than anything else has had an effect. âIâm in the business now where very little shocks you about professional football, particularly in the last 10 years. âI think you can nearly lose a job in management if your tie doesnât fit your suit. âI thought with the experience Iâve had over the years and just coming into the football club when it was pretty well on its knees last year when I saved the club from relegation, then I believe the opportunity should have been afforded to me.â
He's remained dignified about it all but I'm afraid it was nowt to do with his tie. I can tolerate boring, negative football if it's getting results & I can tolerate getting beat as long as we're putting some effort in. Sadly, we got neither.
Have to say this interview reminds me a lot of the Bruce interviews after he left "I deserved more time" - cue the "They are my players" in about 6 months time if/when things are turning around!! I was surprised and disappointed he got sacked but the new appointment has brought a bigger harmony within the forum fans at least than I have ever seen in my 32 years watching the lads!
As honest as any fired manager is going to be. Its not like he was ever going to turn around and say I couldn't turn things around and my best wasn't good enough.
Hit the nail on the head Billy. Looked like from the outside he was a shadow of his former self. Still a cracking bloke though.
Think the timing took everyone by surprise to be honest but, I think judging by what he has said there he knows he wasn't getting anywhere near the results he should be getting. Still think he would have kept us up would have been close though, never mind new manager in now and hopefully a better end to the season than the start.
Can understand him being 'disappointed' but with his recent points haul of 3 points out of 24 (not his only bad run) it's a shame he didn't say that he understood why in a results industry.
He would have had my support had he not been sacked, but there is no denying that something was sadly missing this season, and the results and blandness of the football were awful and painful to watch..
I can understand where he is coming from, but ES did not think he would keep us up and with the extra money from tv revenue next season you can see why he got rid. Good luck MoN
The difference here was that this was boardroom lead. The majority of the fans wanted Bruce out and it was vocal, not so with MON. Only if we survive will this decision be proved correct.
Either way we were a racing certainty for the drop with Mon. His sacking has give us a chance, that's all.
I think Reidy had a better unifying effect mate tbh and he also produced the goods on the pitch but it took him 2 or 3 years to get there. Once he had all his people in we flew way higher than at any time in my lifetime. Perhaps in time PDC might have a similar effect and to be honest, both are similar enthusiastic personalities and we have always performed better as a club with this type of manager - Reid and Smith in particular. I hope PDC can do what many believe he can but its an uphill taks for sure and only 7 games to do it.
MON's reign was a big disappointment. Might have turned out differently if he'd been given time, but we'll never know. Wish him all the best though, as he really did save our collective arse last season.
