Julio Arca has claimed that Tony Mowbray has managed to do what previous managers couldn’t.
Speaking on the UnderTheCosh Podcast, the South Shields boss put Mowbray ahead of both Peter Reid and Gus Poyet for his ‘unbelievable’ style of football.
Arca spent six years with Sunderland under Reid, who guided them to the Premier League twice and reached seventh place in the top flight. Despite the 67-year-old’s success on Wearside, Arca has praised Mowbray for doing what he failed to do.
“Tony Mowbray is one of the managers that I liked the philosophy of what he played,” Arca said.
“What he did at Sunderland last year was unbelievable. I don’t think Sunderland have ever played like that before.
“Even under Peter Reid, we did well and we finished seventh but that wasn’t the style of football it was more long ball and direct but Mowbray brought something different to the club. People have tried to do it before but it hasn’t worked out.
“I remember under Gus Poyet when he was here at Sunderland, he tried to do that and it didn’t work out but Tony tries young players and players that aren’t well known and it really paid off. The style has totally changed.”
Sunderland or Barcelona?
Tony Mowbray has got Sunderland playing the best football they have played in a very long time and it is really getting the best out of the squad.
Going to the Stadium of Light knowing you are going to see an excellent goal from Jack Clarke or the brilliant skill of Patrick Roberts is a breath of fresh air, especially when it usually results in the three points.