Martin O’Neill is the new manager of Sunderland after signing a three-year contract with the club. This will be O’Neill first managerial job since he surprisingly left Aston Villa before the 2010/11 season. He replaces Steve Bruce who was sacked at the end of November 2011 following a poor start to the season.

The board gave Bruce a substantial amount of money during the summer which he spent on the likes of Connor Wickham (Ipswich, £13m) and Craig Gardner (Birmingham, £5m). The team was expected to push on from last season but they have endured a difficult start which ultimately cost Bruce his job. 

Since their return to the top flight Sunderland have finished 15th, 16th, 13th and then last season in 10th. A gradual improvement has been made and now the board will be eager for another top 10 finish.

Recent Manager History

Managers	From:	To:
Steve Bruce	03 Jun, 2009	30 Nov, 2011
Ricky Sbragia	05 Dec, 2008	24 May, 2009
Roy Keane	30 Aug, 2006	04 Dec, 2008
Niall Quinn	25 Jul, 2006	30 Aug, 2006
Kevin Ball	07 Mar, 2006	31 May, 2006
Mick McCarthy	12 Mar, 2003	06 Mar, 2006
Howard Wilkinson	10 Oct, 2002	10 Mar, 2003
Peter Reid	29 Mar, 1995	07 Oct, 2002

Popularity: 5% [?]