Gus Poyet is putting contract talks on hold until he knows the outcome of Sunderland's battle against relegation - including his own. The Uruguayan's current deal expires at the end of next season, and his impressive start to life on Wearside has led to questions over whether he can finally be the long term solution to Sunderland's seemingly perpetual lack of stability. But that is a question for another day, says Poyet. He told The Northern Echo: I won't be talking about that because we have done nothing yet. My challenge is to get safe, and we are not. I'm not thinking about the future, and not even thinking about pre-season yet. Normally, in February, I would be. I would be planning pre-season, but I don't think it's right yet, and it will take a little bit longer for things like that to fall into place. Much as I love Poyet, I think we've almost been stung too many times with snap decisions on managers. Steve Bruce was given a new deal without achieving anything. Martin O'Neill had a brilliant start but fell away. Even Di Canio made an impact. Poyet does seem different though. He is the only Sunderland manager since perhaps Peter Reid who has effected a noticeable tactical change and looks to be systematically putting the pieces in place for some genuine growth. But let's see where things are in a few months time. With this club you just never dare get comfortable or especially attached to anything.
I don`t know quite what to make of this. Does he see relegation as a failure on his part? Considering the situation he inherited I wouldn`t.
It's probably a non story tbf. He won't discuss his contract until he knows what division we'rein. No issue On my part.
It says a helluva lot about the blokes character if he would see that as a failure and I'd be willing to take a chance on him. As GC says, this time it feels different, the bloke oozes class, his tactics have generally been spot on plus he has a plan B when needed. The players seem to like him and he's even made an improvement with Larsson and Co so he can't be all that bad can he? Get him signed on I say, at least a 3 year deal and lets see where that takes us, we need stability, not sack every manager that doesn't bring instant success.
I would say exactly the same. I`ve just got a niggle at the back of my mind about the hesitancy. Unless he`s waiting for ES to talk funds?
Personally I think he is just being very professional about it and not getting distracted form the task in hand. He must have known when he first came to us that relegation was always a possibility, so why would he take the job on if he wasn't prepared for that?
