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Reader’s Corner: “Cook or Pearson for me - and Donald & co need to go!”

Welcome to Reader’s Corner, where we invite YOU, the good folk who skim these pages to offer your own articles up for our website. Today, RR reader Alan Smith offers his thoughts on Sunderland’s managerial situation!

West Ham United v Watford FC - Premier League Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Like most the news of sacking Parkinson came with a huge sigh of relief. While I think Parkinson had his positives over Ross, not many granted, I don’t think any fan could really disagree with the sacking. I do feel sorry for Parkinson because he was very lucky to get the job, but at times he treated us like Colchester, Bolton Bradford etc. He was essentially the master to his own downfall.

Now Jim Rodwell, Stewart Donald, Sartori, David Jones, Kyril Dreyfus - whoever it is making this decision now has the biggest decision on their hands now in recent history. The club can not afford to get this one wrong like so many others.

The question on everyone’s lips is: tried and trusted, or long term plan?

Doncaster Rovers v Sunderland - Sky Bet League One Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Looking for the future

The main men up for this is Danny and Nick Cowley. They would bring a more attacking philosophy and bring in youngsters through getting great use out of our category 1 academy. But there's something I'm not sold on with them two and if I'm honest, I don’t know why.

If they got the job I would be a little sceptical, but not against them. I do think they could do a job, and they are better than Parky, but there's something about them that I can’t shake yet.


Tried and Trusted

For me I’ve always been a fan of Paul Cook. I’ve wrote in before saying I’d swap him for Parkinson in a heartbeat. Today I listened to what the lads said on the reaction podcast and seen on twitter that quite a few would be against the idea of Cook.

For me, I think Paul Cook could, and there no guarantees, get Will Grigg firing which massively improves our chances of going up. Not only that, you would also hope he will get Max Power back to his best because in truth, I’ve been pretty underwhelmed with his time here.

Wigan Athletic v Fulham - Sky Bet Championship
Paul Cook
Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images

Another one would be Nigel Pearson. At first I was sceptical, and still am. If he would be willing to come I’d definitely consider him, and for me it would be between him and Cook.

The only thing with Pearson would he be able to work with the current board. If Donald and Methven start sticking their fingers in again, Pearson wont stand for their interference and before you know, six months later they sack him or he walks.

I don’t think Paul Cook would be as antagonised by the ownership. When Pearson was at Watford he did look a lot calmer and almost kept them up so the more I think about it, the more I’m sold on the idea of him coming - and if super Kev comes with him, then surely nothing can go wrong... can it?

Finally, Gustavo Poyet. A lot of calls for him to come back and for me it’s a no. I do like Gus, and looking back at the good times here but by god there were some bad times.

Sunderland v Aston Villa - Premier League
Gus Poyet
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Granted we are now League One, but the main reason for his demise was due to the ownership issues spilling onto the pitch. We aren’t in a better position now are we really? In the same way as Pearson, Gus Poyet also has a side to him that has clashed with owners of clubs he has previously managed, so potentially has the same risk that history repeats itself.

Also, I’m not a fan of going back for old managers. The only one I’d go back in our recent times would be Sam Allardyce, and that is not happening.

For me it would be Paul Cook, followed very very closely by Pearson.

Watford FC v Norwich City - Premier League
Nigel Pearson
Photo by Matt Dunham/Pool via Getty Images

I’d be very happy with either of those two, then they would be followed by the Cowley brothers and finally Gus.

Either way it all comes back to the ownership. This must be resolved. Stewart and Charlie must leave. I can take Juan Sartori staying on board as long as more capable people came in to run the club, but until Stewart and Charlie step down for good I don’t see us progressing much.

Hopefully, a promotion at the end of this year sees them off and if that means they get a profit, even though they don’t deserve it then so be it. As long as they are gone and we can finally put League One and their awful reign behind us.


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