Fan Letters: Sunderland supporters have mixed feelings on Chris Coleman’s sacking and new owners

Dear Roker Report,

GERRIN!

It’s great news to hear that we have new management coming in at boardroom level, but I’m disappointed that Chris Coleman’s gone.

I’m struggling to think of someone who would be a better fit for the job, especially as it seems our new owners have someone already lined up/in mind - no one out of a job right now would be better to take us forward, in my opinion.

Luke Rose

Ed’s Note [Gav]: I’m torn on it if I’m honest Luke, mainly because this is a completely unique situation that we find ourselves in and the circumstances around why Coleman was released from his contract aren’t quite clear yet.

It’s thought that Coleman’s contract was too pricey in the eyes of the new owners and they didn’t want to have to shoulder that expense when weighing it up against his stint so far as manager - if that is indeed the case, then it’s fair enough.

I love Coleman and think he showed a level of commitment rarely seen from a Sunderland manager, and I’m sad for him that he won’t get the chance to manage us under better circumstances, but the new owners have their own ideas going forward and we just have to see how it plays out.

Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

A few words on Coleman. He’s a proper lad with the right attitude and maybe he did the best he could given the situation he walked into. I will always appreciate his efforts.

That said, I can see why we wouldn’t want to gamble on him going to League One. We need a safe pair of hands and a confident game plan.

And Ellis Short - it would appear that he’s finally done right by the club. This doesn’t forgive his mismanagement over the years but he’s exited with style by paying off all the debt - I hold a lot of gratitude for him.

Yesterday was the best day of being a Sunderland fan in a long, long time.

I want to let the new owners get on with it without too much pre-judgement.

There’s finally some hope isn’t there?

Haway the lads.

Tom from Glasgow

Ed’s Note [Gav]: Supporting this football club is never dull, is it? Like a bolt out the blue this news came yesterday and it sent my emotions all over the place - one thing that I did feel again though is hopeful again. I won’t get too excited just yet, not until we hear more about who they are and what their plans are, but this takeover has happened early enough for the summer window to not be a total disaster, and it feels as though they have a manager in mind to take us forward too.

Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

The past week has been a roller-coaster for everyone surrounding the club.

Let’s start afresh!

Let’s all bring out nothing but positivity. I request all fans to be patient, because this is not gonna be a fairytale return to the way things used to be - our new owner is not a billionaire like our previous one, and the teams in League One are much stronger (physically) than the teams we faced while in the Championship.

This is going to be a long process and I hope everyone enjoys it, even if this takes hell lot of time.

Sunderland ‘til I die!

Regards

Adarsh (all the way from India)

Ed’s Note [Gav]: Hi Adarsh - it’s always good to hear from you! Yes, I agree, I think we have to be patient with the new owners and listen carefully to what they have to say with regards to their plans for the future. Whatever their plans are, they aren’t going to try and spend their way out of trouble - there has to be a clear path towards getting ourselves to a better place, and as such that might take a few years of groundwork.

That said, we are too big a club to be considering anything other than promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt, and I have no shame in saying that.