Roker Roundup: Martin Bain set for return to football; Hysen & Honeyman on leaving Sunderland

Bain set for City move?

Former Sunderland CEO Martin Bain could be set for a move to the City Football Group (CFG), the owners of Premier League champions Manchester City.

According to reports, CFG are set to add Indian Super League outfit Mumbai City to their ever-growing portfolio of clubs and Bain is believed to be in the frame to become the club’s CEO.

As well as Manchester City, CFG also own New York City FC, Melbourne City, Club Atletico Torque of Uruguay and Chinese side Sichuan Jiuniu, they also hold a stake in Girona and Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos.

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Hysen discusses Sunderland departure

Ex-Sunderland winger Tobias Hysen has been talking about how he returned to Sweden with IFK Gothenburg after leaving Sunderland.

The Swedish international revealed how he was nervous going into Roy Keane’s office to tell the manager that he wanted to leave the club, despite the respect he had for Keane:

When I would go into Roy Keane’s office and tell him I wanted to move home - he may not be the first coach you want to say it to, but it was a good conversation.

I had such a damn respect for him, it was Roy Keane after all. But there and then I would probably have had the same lump in my stomach no matter who I was going to have that conversation with.

Hysen also explained how his own father - former Liverpool defender Glenn Hysen - almost scuppered his departure from Sunderland when he stood up on the terraces during a Gothenburg match and started chanting about his son’s impending transfer to the club. Despite Tobias’ warning that the news could not break early due to tax reasons:

He could have actually ruined everything for real. ”Who would I say that to?” He said.

It was for tax reasons and important that all papers came in the right order. It was days here and there that were important and Blue White did not come over to England and sign a contract until it was really safe to do so and I did not go home until it was really safe to do so.

That dad two or three weeks earlier hatches such a plan...

I think it happened on a Sunday and then on the Monday morning someone called - a reporter from Aftonbladet, GP or GT - and said “your dad has said that you that you are ready for IFK Gothenburg”.

Although I don’t think he has, maybe something like that, but not that it was clear, I replied. Then I went to Youtube and yes...I couldn’t get any misinterpretation.

I called my dad early in the morning and then he obviously lay in bed sleeping and was really fucking hungover. He took nothing and I told him he was so damn stupid in his head. ”You were well wasted and you can’t remember what you did” and he didn’t. I was so damn pissed. He called me for two days but I refused to answer.

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Honeyman on Hull move

Sunderland skipper George Honeyman made a surprise move to Championship side Hull City last month and he has took to the club’s official website to discuss how he has been settling in at the Tigers.

The 25-year-old admitted that it has been difficult living out of his car and a hotel for the last month but is glad the weather in Hull is better than Sunderland:

Just like in any walk of life, change takes a little bit of time to get used to but I’m settling in and really enjoying it here.

The lads, the gaffer and the staff have been brilliant and I can certainly say that the weather here is better than up in Sunderland!

It can be tough when you leave somewhere and come into a new environment, and it did take me a little bit of time to adjust.

I was living in a hotel and out of my car for a month, like all boys do when they sign for a new club, but thankfully I’m getting close to sorting a house and that will help, too.

I’ll be able to bring my dogs and all of my possessions here and settle down. This is all a new scenario for me but I’m enjoying the challenge.

You come across different hurdles, but ones that improve you as a person and, hopefully, as a player as well.

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