David Moyes returns to the Premier League with Sunderland

Sunderland may have lost an excellent manager in Sam Allardyce - who has been confirmed as the new England boss - but few fans with have a problem with the cailibre of his replacement, David Moyes, especially given the untimely nature of the departure, which comes just three weeks before the 2016/17 season kicks-off.

Rapid Turnaround

Sunderland supporters were left fretting earlier in the week when it became clear that Big Sam was going to replace Roy Hodgson. But, the rapid turnaround is great news for the club who are looking to push on following a number of seasons battling it out for survival.

In a poll The Sack Race conducted on who Sunderland fans wanted as their new manager, it was Moyes who topped the billing with 44% of the vote, streets ahead ahead of Ryan Giggs (22%), Roberto Martinez (18%), Frank de Boer (16%).

Moyes now returns to the managerial arena for the first time since leaving Real Sociedad back in November, signing a four-year deal. The Sunderland job will be the Scot’s fifth in the dugout following spells at Preston, Everton, Man Utd, then Sociedad, and third in the Premier League.

To date Moyes’ greatest achievements including leading Everton into the Champions League, winning the Community Shield with United, and earning promotion into the second-tier with Preston, while he’s also won the LMA Manager of the Year on three occasions.

Strive for Consistency

Sunderland will now desperately be hoping for some consistency in the dugout, having chomped through five managers in just over three years. Moyes’ last two spells in the dugout may have been both relatively brief and disappointing, but the Scot spent over 11 years in charge of Everton, during which he led his troops to nine top-8 finishes, including 4th in 2004/05.

This is something Sunderland are undoubtedly keen to work towards. Since returning to the top-flight in 2007 the Black Cats have only once finished in the top-half of the table, while the last few seasons have been spent avoiding the dreaded drop down to the Championship.

The Season Ahead

If you’re after a couple of Sunderland related bets ahead of the rapidly approaching 2016/17 season then you can back the Mackems at 4/11 (Bet365) to stay in the Premier League for the 10th consecutive season, 5/1 (Betway) to finish in the top-10, while for the more eager punters amongst you…the club are priced at 1500 (Betfred) to do a Leicester and win the title!

David Moyes is back in the dugout, replacing Sam Allardyce at Sunderland #SAFC #DavidMoyes pic.twitter.com/n0JxiW1ubi

— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) 23 July 2016