Sunderland return following the international break with a crunch clash against Millwall at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.
Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats side currently sit fourth in the Championship table – firmly cemented in the middle of the league’s top-six – 11 points behind leaders Leeds United, but 12 points ahead of Tony Mowbray’s West Brom who currently occupy the final play-off place.
Before the international break, Sunderland suffered a 3-0 defeat at Coventry, in an uncharacteristically disappointing display from Le Bris’ side which saw Sky Blues striker Haji Wright strike a hat-trick past Sunderland.
With supporters now eagerly awaiting the return of Championship action ahead of the final eight-game run-in, attention now turns to Saturday’s opponents Millwall, and the return of a familiar face once more on Wearside who will certainly not be welcomed back with open arms.
Former Sunderland boss Alex Neil believes he was painted as the ‘villain’
Former Black Cats boss Alex Neil left the club in dubious circumstances back in 2022, months after he masterminded Sunderland’s promotion from League One back to the Championship after a four-year absence, culminating in Sunderland’s 2-0 win at Wembley against Wycombe Wanderers.
Scottish Neil – who was appointed by Sunderland on a 12-month rolling contract after Lee Johnson’s sacking in January 2022 – dramatically departed the Black Cats to join Championship rivals Stoke months later in August.
Months later when Neil returned to the Stadium of Light for the first time after walking out on the club, his Potters side embarrassed Mowbray’s side in a 5-1 horror show for Sunderland, after Neil was met by an extremely hostile reception on Wearside with boos chorusing and objects being pelted at Neil by some of the Black Cats supporters.
Neil unfortunately had the last laugh, and told the BBC after his return: “What is disappointing and frustrating is that I have been painted the villain. There are a lot of untrue things that have been said about me. There’s been a lot of hatred. But I won’t cry.
“I enjoyed winning but that is for the people who understand the dynamics of the situation because I am not the bad guy.”
Neil was then sacked by Stoke early in the following season and after a year away from the dugout, Neil was made Millwall manager last December and takes his 11th-placed Lions to Sunderland this Saturday.
Alex Neil’s Sunderland tenure marred by controversial exit
Neil’s Sunderland stint lasted only 197 days, but his 24-match spell will forever be marred in controversy by the Black Cats fans.
| Alex Neil’s Sunderland record | Alex Neil’s Stoke City record | Alex Neil’s current Millwall record |
| Games in charge – 24 | Games in charge – 66 | Games in charge – 18 |
| Wins – 12 | Wins – 22 | Wins – 8 |
| Draws – 9 | Draws – 13 | Draws – 4 |
| Losses – 3 | Losses – 31 | Losses – 6 |
| Win percentage – 50% | Win percentage – 33.3% | Win percentage – 44.4% |
The gratitude Sunderland fans held towards Neil for spearheading their 17-game unbeaten run which culminated in promotion from the third tier will forever be tainted by Neil’s dramatic switch to Stoke.
Sunderland supporters’ rebuttal to Neil’s decision to leave that the grass isn’t always greener has been proven correct, given the 43-year-old head coach has failed to achieve his Black Cats win rate yet with Millwall, and his Stoke record was significantly worse despite his switch.
As Neil travels to Wearside this Saturday with his Millwall side, the Stadium of Light is set to be ferocious with jeers towards Neil from Sunderland fans likely once more, as he makes his second return to Sunderland since dubiously departing.
The Black Cats must not repeat the 5-1 defeat Neil inflicted on them last time as another embarrassment would threaten to seriously derail Sunderland’s run-in as they attempt to secure their likely play-off fate.