by “Could I return? Yes, of course”
This is what Gus Poyet told the ‘Speaking Sunderland’ podcast two weeks ago.
The Uruguayan would go on to say: “It’s like, you want to go back because it’s typical South American passion, you know, the fans. So, that relationship we made with the fans, even if it didn’t finish in the best way, I am still thinking that it’s possible to do something important there.”
Since those words were spoken Phil Parkinson has become the latest Sunderland manager to be ejected from his hot-seat, and it just so happens to be Poyet who has been installed as the early bookies’ favourite to return to the Stadium of Light, nearly six years after he was sacked.
Sunderland fans, who would you like to see come in as your new manager?
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The out-of-work 53-year-old spent just shy of 18 months in charge of the club, during which he dramatically kept the Black Cats in the Premier League and led them to a League Cup Final.
"I don't know if you will see something similar ever. It's one of the best days of my life,” he said after he miraculously kept the club up in 2014. "It's football, it's miracles, it's something unique.”
Prior to his appointment at Sunderland in 2013, Poyet led Brighton to the League One title; the very division Sunderland have been trapped in since 2018.
Since leaving Sunderland in March 2015, it’s fair to say Poyet has had a pretty varied time in the dugout, having voyaged from England to Greece (AEK Athens) to Spain (Real Betis), then over to China (Shanghai Shenhua), while his last spell came in France (Bordeaux).
But, for one reason or another he’s failed to reach the 30 game mark in any of those jobs.
Gus Poyet Since Sunderland (games)
- AEK Athens (28)
- Real Betis (11)
- Shanghai Shenhua (29)
- Bordeaux (21)
Sunderland’s last two appointments have been a blend of youth (Jack Ross) and experience (Parkinson), but with neither manager making their mark could it be time for a familiar face to return, lift the mood, get the team purring, and make a real push for promotion?
If the answer is yes, then a Poyet appointment could well be the way to go.
Other names in the frame at this stage, including Danny Cowley, Paul Cook, and Nigel Pearson.
