The latest edition of the Sunderland weekly round-up looks at the latest news from the Stadium of Light. This past week saw the arrival of a new manager, several new players and a well-deserved victory in the Championship.
We look back on Tony Mowbray’s arrival as he replaced Alex Neil, plus the new players added to the squad before the transfer window closed. We also review the victory that got the new head coach off to a perfect start.
Sunderland Weekly Round-Up: New Head Coach, New Players and a Well-Deserved Victory
Welcome to #SAFC, Tony Mowbray ✍️
The 58-year-old has signed a two-year contract on Wearside!
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 30, 2022
Tony Mowbray Replaces Alex Neil
Former Celtic and Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray was appointed Sunderland’s new head coach on Tuesday. The experienced 58-year-old signed a tw0-year contract. Mowbray replaces Alex Neil who left the club the previous week to take charge at Stoke City.
Mowbray who hails from Middlesbrough has taken charge of over 800 games during his coaching career guiding West Brom to the Premier League and Blackburn back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Shortly after being unveiled as the new head coach at the Stadium of Light, Mowbray spoke to safc.com. He said: “I grew up in the North East and I always remember my experiences at Roker Park with great fondness – the emotion, passion and size of Sunderland AFC.
“This is a huge opportunity to continue the good work that has taken place over the past two years and I hope the supporters can see that this football club is on its way back. It is a journey – I’ve just come from Blackburn Rovers and like here, it was a rebuilding process – but we want to win and we will be aggressive. The players must understand what they are fighting for because they are the standard-bearers for the city and win, lose or draw, we must ensure those who come to watch us see a team that gives everything in every game.”
Mowbray will be joined by long-term assistant Mark Venus. The pair have worked together at several of Mowbray’s former clubs.
Rotherham United Beaten Convincingly
Mowbray’s first game in charge came just 24 hours after he was installed as the new head coach and it couldn’t have gone much better. 36,530 fans welcomed Mowbray to his new home and neither he nor the fans would be disappointed with the performance that the team put on display.
The Black Cats produced a ruthless display, dominating their opponents from the first whistle. Despite this, it remained goalless at halftime. However, in the second half, Sunderland became ruthless. Striker Ross Stewart scored twice to take his tally to five for the season thanks to two Jack Clarke assists.
The best goal of the night was saved for last. Clarke capped a superb performance with a goal. Cutting inside from the left wing, the former Tottenham Hotspur man, evaded several challenges before calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner.
The scoreline could have been greater; however, everyone on Wearside will be happy with this hugely positive start to life under Tony Mowbray.
Next or the Black Cats is a trip to North East rivals and Mowbray’s old club Middlesbrough on Monday night.
Sunderland Weekly Round-Up: Three New Signing Paraded in Front of Stadium of Light Crowd
During halftime of the Rotherham game, Sunderland paraded three new signings plus one who had completed his move the previous week.
A trio of the day’s summer signings, Amad, Edouard Michut and Abdoullah Ba, were introduced to the crowd alongside fellow new recruit Costa Rica international winger Jewison Bennette. 18-year-old Bennette signed the previous Thursday on a four-year contract from Costa Rican side C.S. Herediano.
Côte d’Ivoire international Amad joined on a season-long loan from Manchester United. The 20-year-old joined the Red Devils from Atalanta in 2021 for a deal that could reach a reported £37 million. The winger has played nine games in all competitions for United so far and also had a spell at Rangers on loan.
Midfielder Edouard Michut finally completed his on-off move to Sunderland last Wednesday. The move was reported to be completed several days before he was officially announced; however, negotiations with PSG became more complicated as time progressed. However, an initial loan deal was completed with Sunderland having the option to make the move permanent.
Abdoullah Ba completed the trio of signings last Wednesday when he signed a five-year contract having arrived for an undisclosed fee from French side Le Havre. 19-year-old Ba is a forward-thinking midfielder who has represented France at youth level and had become a permanent fixture in the Le Havre side of late.
