Tony Mowbray sacked by Sunderland: A reflection on his spell and whether the timing was right
Sunderland have sacked manager, Tony Mowbray, 15 months after he took the job. Having guided the Black Cats to the Championship play-offs last season, some will see the decision as harsh. Daniel Wales speaks to Ethan Todd to reflect on his time and his dismissal.
Transcript
00:00 He was the man who took a newly promoted side from League One to the Championship playoffs,
00:08 but now Tony Mowbray has been sacked by Sunderland.
00:12 The news from the Stadium of Light came late on Monday evening,
00:16 that Tony Mowbray, alongside assistant coach Mark Venus, had been relieved of their first team duties.
00:24 In a club statement, it was made clear that both will always be welcome back at the Stadium of Light.
00:31 Sporting director Christian Spiekman said that Mowbray is held in high regard by players, staff and supporters,
00:38 but the club felt that this was the right time to take this difficult decision to remain loyal to their ambition and strategy.
00:45 Mowbray joined the Black Cats only a short way into the 2023/24 season following the departure of Alex Neil to Stoke City.
00:54 With a young side to work with, including mercurial talents such as Amad Diallo, Jack Clark and Patrick Roberts,
01:01 Mowbray managed to steer the side to sixth in the table and with it a place in the playoffs.
01:07 The 2-1 win at home to Luton in the semi-final first leg was then overturned by a 2-0 loss at Kenilworth Road to send Luton to Wembley.
01:16 This season, without Amad Diallo, Mowbray leaves the club with them sat just three points outside of the playoffs,
01:23 but with issues in the striker department.
01:26 Journalist and Sunderland supporter Ethan Todd reflected on Mowbray's time at the helm.
01:32 I think first of all, I think most Sunderland fans, well 99.9% of Sunderland fans would probably agree that under Tony Mowbray,
01:40 it's probably the best, if you want to say most attractive style of football that Sunderland have played.
01:46 I think some of the goals that we've scored have been individual brilliance,
01:50 but like under him and under the style of player we've played has been unbelievable at times.
01:56 Ethan then gave his thoughts on whether the timing was right.
02:00 If you think with your heart, it does seem a bit harsh because he's done so much for us,
02:04 got us into the playoffs so close to making it all the way last season.
02:09 The way he's nurtured the young players and he's brought that exciting style of football back to the stadium.
02:15 I think when you think with your heart, it does seem a bit harsh and maybe you could say,
02:19 "Oh, could have given him until January."
02:21 But then when you think with your head and take emotions out of it, which is hard to do as a fan,
02:27 but in the long term, I think we need someone with a bit more tactical now,
02:33 if you'd like to say that, because oftentimes when plan A works, it's unbelievable.
02:39 Some of the football we've played is unbelievable, but then I think that most fans would probably agree
02:44 that when plan A doesn't work, it seems to be that we don't have a plan B.
02:48 Several names are being touted as potential replacements, but nothing is certain yet.
02:53 Mowbray achieved highly with an inexperienced side.
02:57 Some will question the timing of his removal, whilst others will see it as a necessary sacrifice.
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