One name who Sunderland fans may unfortunately remember is Ian Harte: not because of his playing career but because he represents Jack Clarke.
During Jack Clarke‘s stay at Sunderland, Ian Harte was often vocal in how he wanted to get him a big move away from the Stadium of Light. He eventually succeeded in the summer of 2024 with Clarke moving to Ipswich Town in an £18million deal, but struggling since.
Clarke has been in poor form for Ipswich Town with no goals in 24 Premier League outings for the struggling Tractor Boys, who look set for an immediate return to the Championship under Kieran McKenna this season.
One particular Harte post on social media riled up fans. Back in August last year when interest in Clarke was rife, Harte posted a picture of Clarke’s Championship stats on X in which Sunderland fans deemed an obvious ploy to put his client in the shop window.
And now more than half-a-year on, he’s weighed in with another dig at the Sunderland fans, who’ve just been informed that they’ll be losing Tommy Watson to Brighton in the summer.
Ian Harte calls Sunderland fans fickle after Tommy Watson to Brighton confirmed
On Tuesday evening, it was revealed that Watson will leave Sunderland for Brighton in the summer transfer window with the Seagulls paying a £10million fee. Brighton tried to sign Watson on deadline day in January but came up short, though they’ve finally got their man, and needless to say, the news has sparked up some debate among Sunderland fans.
Some are sad to see him leave whilst others think there might be more to the move than meets the eye. But Harte, a one-time former Sunderland man himself, has taken some of the heat away from Watson with a comment on Watson’s Instagram post which can no longer be seen, possibly having been deleted.
Harte’s comment read: “Congratulations Tommy delighted for you! Gutted we won’t be seeing you as much but a fantastic move. Don’t worry about some of the fickle fans they are the experts NOT… There is a reason why you play professional football and they sit in the stands! Going to miss you guys.”
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The connection between Tommy Watson and Ian Harte revealed
After seeing that comment, many jumped to the conclusion that Harte also represented Watson as well as Clarke. But that’s not the case, as Sunderland Echo have since revealed.
They write that Watson is actually represented by former Sunderland striker Danny Graham but that ‘there is a family connection between’ Watson and Harte.
Either way, Watson will be leaving this summer and how much football Regis Le Bris gives him between now and then remains to be seen.
He remains an important player but with Watson not in the plans for next season, Le Bris might be inclined to play others ahead of him, though Brighton might have some kind of agreement for Watson to play regularly ahead of the summer.