One former Sunderland manager has held talks ahead of a potential Premier League move.
Looking back to Sunderland’s Premier League years, several of the coaches that led the Black Cats struggled during their stint on Wearside.
One man that truly embodied that struggle was the last manager to serve Sunderland in the Premier League, up until their disappointing relegation in the 2016/17 campaign, and that was David Moyes.
With his previous experience at Everton, as well as a small stint at Man United, there were plenty of expectations that he could build on Sam Allardyce’s work, but unfortunately, it ended in relegation.
Fast forward seven-and-a-half years since his dismissal, he has a UEFA European Conference League title to his name that he won with West Ham United, and is now in the line for yet another Premier League job.
Former Sunderland boss David Moyes holds talks with Everton ahead of potential move
Former Sunderland boss Moyes managed just an average points-per-game of 0.72 in the 2016/17 Premier League campaign with the Black Cats, but has since put the dark days on Wearside behind him, continuing to be a Premier League-level coach.
He is now potentially in line for yet another role in England’s top flight, and one that will see him rejoin Everton in a discussed deal that would involve a contract until the end of the campaign.
Per Ben Jacobs on X, ‘Moyes would be willing to take an initial six-month deal until the end of the season at Everton’, which would see him take over from a Premier League side with no wins in their last five league games, and one that sits just a point away from the relegation zone.
David Moyes history on Wearside could be repeated with struggling Everton
There is no doubt that when the Scotsman took over from Allardyce at Sunderland, he had quite a task on his hands, and that reflected in the fact that he was unable to record a single win in his first 10 Premier League games.
Matches were often lost due to a lack of goalscoring output at the start of the season, with the Black Cats relying on an ageing Jermaine Defoe, alongside Duncan Watmore and Whazib Khazri, with Victor Anichebe available as well.
Morale amongst the fans continued to sink as the season went on, and it ended in relegation.
Looking at how Everton’s season has panned out so far, it could easily go a very similar way for Moyes.
Whilst he has previously succeeded with the Toffees, it will no doubt be a challenge for Moyes to help his side away from relegation, if he is handed the responsibility.