Alex Neil AGREES to take over as Stoke City manager as Tony Mowbray heads to Sunderland to replace him, with Rory Delap and John O’Shea to keep their roles in Potters’ backroom staff
- Sunderland manager Alex Neil has agreed to take over at Stoke City
- Neil was in the stands for the Potters’ 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers yesterday
- Former Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray will replace him at Sunderland
- Rory Delap and John O’Shea will keep their roles in Stoke’s backroom staff
Sunderland manager Alex Neil has agreed to take over at Stoke City, with Tony Mowbray replacing him at the Stadium of Light.
Neil was in the stands for the Potters’ 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers yesterday, and to set to take over as manager of the club imminently following the sacking of Michael O’Neill.
Sunderland, who lost 1-0 at home to Norwich, have moved quickly to replace the 41-year-old, with former Blackburn man Mowbray to take over at the helm once the move is confirmed.
Sunderland manager Alex Neil has agreed to take over the reigns at Stoke City imminently
Former Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray will replace Neil at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland revealed on Friday that they had reluctantly granted Neil permission to speak to Stoke after an official approach for his services.
They posted on their website: ‘Sunderland AFC can confirm that Alex Neil has entered into discussions with Stoke City regarding their current managerial vacancy.
‘Following a formal approach by SCFC, the Club is contractually obliged to permit the Head Coach to start a dialogue with the Potters.’
Talks were positive and the move will now be completed after Neil signed a one-year rolling contract with Sunderland in February.
Neil watched on from the stands as Stoke beat Blackburn 1-0 in the Championship yesterday
Rory Delap (left) will stay on in Neil’s backroom staff despite the sacking of Michael O’Neill
He helped the club back to the Championship at the end of last season as they won the League One play-off final.
Neil won 50 per cent of his games as Sunderland manager, with 12 victories from 24 games and earns a hefty pay-rise on the back of an impressive six-month stint on Wearside.
He has previously managed Hamilton and Norwich, as well as…