A former Sunderland manager could return to the dugout with Birmingham City this summer.
Sunderland have a growing list of former managers, with both Tony Mowbray and Michael Beale joining the list after this season.
Mowbray was the man who led Sunderland into the 2023/24 campaign and he had the Black Cats in contention for another top six finish.
But Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus would pull the plug on Mowbray, soon after hiring Beale who lasted just 12 games in charge.
Mike Dodds would try and fail to pick up the pieces with Sunderland eventually finishing in 16th place of the Championship table.
And now, more than three months after Beale was sacked, Sunderland remain without a permanent manager in place, seemingly no closer to hiring their next one either.
Former Sunderland manager Alex Neil holds ‘initial talks’ with Birmingham City
It’s now been revealed that former Sunderland manager Alex Neil has held ‘initial talks’ with Birmingham City about replacing Mowbray this summer.
Mowbray has recently resigned as Birmingham City manager in order to focus on his health, with Blues gearing up for a League One campaign after finishing in 22nd place of the Championship table.
Telegraph journalist John Percy revealed on X that Blues and Neil have held talks, with the 42-year-old ‘regarded as a good option’ after guiding the likes of Sunderland and Norwich City to Football League promotions.
Neil was with Sunderland for just six months during 2022, winning 50% of his 24 games at the helm before leaving for Stoke City in August that year.
But he was sacked in December 2023, leaving with a win percentage of 33% despite Stoke City spending heavily in the transfer market last summer.
Would former Sunderland manager Alex Neil be a good fit for Birmingham City
Neil certainly brings a lot of experience to the table; he’s approaching his 500th game as a manager, having done commendable jobs with the likes of Preston North End, Norwich City, and Sunderland in the past.
And although Sunderland fans have mixed feelings about Neil, he did a good job in getting the Black Cats out of League One and then guiding the team to a strong start to the 2022/23 campaign.
If he was still at the club, matters right now may be much rosier. But his time at Stoke City was certainly tough and it’s set him back somewhat, with a drop down to League One now looking possible.
Birmingham City remains an ambitious club. Relegation though was certainly not expected this season, especially after starting so well.
League One is a league Neil knows well and Birmingham City have the likes of Alex Pritchard who Neil worked with at Sunderland, and who could be a real focal point in the team next season; especially so if Neil takes charge.
So on paper, it looks like a good fit, and Neil holding initial talks suggests that he’s open to potentially taking charge and replacing Mowbray, who previously relaced him at the Stadium of Light.