Well if you had a silly tenner on Paolo Di Canio to be first through the door you can go to the bookies tomorrow to collect. Poor bugger only had 13 games in charge. Hardly enough time to start getting the team playing his way. Hopefully MJ will get a lot longer, although Sunderland's Chairman is also an American and I bet they talk.
Sunderland are as bonkers as he is. Still, happy to thank him for our three points. See Gus Poyet is not on MOTD2. Wonder what his odds are? Or maybe our old friend Pulis???
Harry will probably be linked. Mancini is available but may not fancy Sunderland - I also guess his wages would be a touch on the high side. Poyet could be given his Premiership opportunity. Bit of choice around.
Harry won't go that far North - he turned down Newcastle in the past. Poyet and Di Matteo seem the best available, although I wouldn't rule out McClaren. Funny how we've all been saying that there is no one on the market worth replacing Jol with, and now we're saying that there are some good choices for Sunderland. For the record, that isn't me saying I'd like to replace Jol with any of the above mentioned (or anyone else). Jol's situation is completely different to Di Canio's - the latter seems to have completely alienated both the supporters and (probably more importantly), the playing staff. Some fans may be disgruntled with Jol, but it's not nearly as widespread as at Sunderland, and there's no suggestion that he's anywhere near losing the changing room.
I can't see Poyet or Mancini going to Sunderland. Poyet because he seems like another Di Canio, i.e. baggage and untested in the PL, and Mancini probably has his sights set higher. I think Di Matteo would be a great choice, and if Martin Jol were to go tomorrow, RDM would be my pick for Fulham.
The timing of the sacking was good. No point in waiting another week when the players, reportedly, have revolted against the man. Sunderland have the players, I think, to finish in the upper half, they just need a decent manager and some stability. Like most, I was shocked that they let Sessegnon go; he was their best player last year by a mile. Di Matteo would be my choice, too, for all the same reasons Bidley mentioned.
Interesting odds on Jol. I fancy Mourinho at 18/1 to upset Roman and get the chop. @Ladbrokes: FOOTBALL SPECIALS: First London Premier League Manager to leave 4/7 Jol 7/2 Holloway 6/1 Allardyce 18 Mourinho 20 Wenger 20 AVB
