They were both success stories obviously, there were plenty that weren't, some were bought, some free, but they all needed paying. Anyway, my original post said 'Sunderland did warn us when SB joined that his style was to start well, get the confidence of the board to let him spend loads of money, then go downhill from there'.
Well, he did start well, he did spend a lot of money, and he ended up falling out with the vice-chairman and leaving. If that's not downhill I don't know what is. Yes he had some good times along the way but it ended badly, for him.