Expected timeline of Alex Neil’s Sunderland appointment emerges

Alex Neil is expected to be Sunderland’s new head coach for their League One clash against AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane on Saturday, according to the Sunderland Echo.

Roy Keane had been the frontrunner to replace Lee Johnson throughout the manager search but it emerged yesterday that the two parties had been unable to come to an agreement – with the finances of the deal potentially an issue.

The Black Cats have quickly moved onto Neil with the Sunderland Echo reporting a deal is close and that the former Preston North End and Norwich City boss will sign a contract to the end of the season.

Sunderland have lost consecutive games against teams in the bottom half of League One while Mike Dodds and his interim coaching team have been in charge but the 40-year-old is expected to be at the helm for Saturday’s game in London.

The report claims that former Hull City boss Grant McCann and ex-Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi were both interviewed but the club’s hierarchy were impressed with Neil and believe his preferred system and style will fit the current squad.

The Verdict

It seems as though the majority of the fan base have had their heart set on Keane since he emerged as a candidate last week but the appointment of Neil looks like a real coup.

He’s done an excellent job in his previous two jobs – taking Norwich to the Premier League and getting a Preston side competing for the play-offs on a shoestring budget – and is an impressive hire for a League One club.

That he’s expected to be in charge for the game at Plough Lane is fantastic news but he won’t have had much time to have an impact and depending on what time his appointment is confirmed, will likely not have had the chance to take a single training session.

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