One former Sunderland star has held an ex-manager in the highest regard.
The Black Cats’ Premier League days saw them utilise several players that have gone onto bigger things, especially in the goalkeeper position.
One of which is undoubtedly Jordan Pickford, who rocketed through the set-up at the Academy of Light and became Sunderland’s number-one option in-between the sticks for the 2016/17 Premier League campaign.
As well as the current England goalkeeper, Sunderland also had Simon Mignolet at the club from 2010 up until he was moved on to Liverpool in 2013.
The Belgian international has spoken very fondly of his time on Wearside, and has highlighted the key figures at the club that have had an everlasting effect on his brilliant career.
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Former Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet hails Paolo Di Canio after three-year stint on Wearside
Mignolet signed for the club in 2010, and he became Sunderland’s prominent number-one choice shot-stopper in the early years of the decade, notching 90 Premier League appearances for the side.
Whilst the former Black Cats goalkeeper saw most of his success at Anfield with Liverpool, he still looks back on his spell on Wearside with fond memories, highlighting both Martin O’Neill, Paolo Di Canio and their goalkeeping coaches as key figures that shaped his experience in the north east.
Via Sunderland’s website, Mignolet said: “When Martin O’Neill came, with his goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh, they gave me a lot of confidence because they believed in me, and I had a really great spell with them. From Seamus I learned to work hard. He was tough on me but at the same time we had a really special connection.
“Afterwards with Paolo Di Canio he was a tactical coach as you would expect. He was also really passionate and the way he was on the side-line with a lot of emotion gave a completely different perspective. With all three of them I learned a lot and under Di Canio I got transferred to Liverpool. I had a good connection with him and his goalkeeper coach Domenico Doardo. I still speak to all three of my goalkeeping coaches from Sunderland even now.”
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Sunderland history with goalkeepers will bode well with current crop of players
As highlighted above, Sunderland have certainly had their fair share of top shot-stoppers, and that is certainly the case with the current side.
From first-team goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who has already piqued the interest of Premier League side, to Matty Young, who is currently shining for Salford City on loan.
The current crop of goalkeepers will be very optimistic with their development when looking at the success of their predecessors, and there is no doubt that Young, for example, will go far in his career after what he has shown on loan.