Black Cats supporters were visibly upset after learning that Alex Neil might be amenable to a Stadium of Light comeback.
Alex Neil, the former manager of Preston North End, would not be welcomed back to the Stadium of Light by Sunderland supporters.
That’s according to readers polled by our colleagues at the Sunderland Echo, following The Sun’s story that the Scot may consider returning to Wearside.
In August 2022, Neil controversially left his position as manager of the Black Cats to take over Stoke, a Championship opponent. His decision was made just weeks after the 2022–23 season had started and months after he had led Sunderland to promotion through the League One play-offs.
However, the Stadium of Light supporters would not tolerate a return to Wearside given that he is unemployed following his dismissal from the Potters in December.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16197799/GettyImages_1139633799.jpg)
In fact, a whopping 87.2 percent of the more than 4,500 votes cast indicated they would be against Neil’s return when polled by the Sunderland Echo on X, formerly Twitter. Just 12.8% of those who supported the Black Cats cast yes votes.
That sends a strong message to Sunderland’s management, who will appoint a new manager in the summer. With 12 games left, the Wearsiders are now five points behind eighth-place Preston in the standings and in 10th position in the table. Mike Dodds will take interim leadership of the team for the remainder of the season.
After Simon Grayson moved to the Stadium of Light in July 2017, Neil assumed leadership of the Lilywhites. After spending three and a half seasons at Deepdale, the 42-year-old was fired in March 2021, with PNE occupying the 16th spot in the Championship standings.
The former Norwich manager, who joined Sunderland in February 2022, led Preston to second-tier results of seventh, fourteenth, and ninth. He left Deepdale with a 39.53 percent win percentage.