Sunderland Play Managerial Roulette Again

Sunderland certainly can’t easily be confused for Las Vegas but American owner Ellis Short has, in the past, continually gambled on changing the manager/head coach as a means to stave off relegation from the Premier League. However this time it doesn’t appear to have been his decision.

Once again Sunderland have a vacancy at the top. However any advert may as well read ‘Croupier Wanted’. Dick Advocaat’s decision to leave the Black Cats was confirmed today but the truth is the cards he was dealt will be the same desperate hand that the next man is given and possibly the man after that. Therefore the question on everyone’s lips is just who would want to take the opportunity to head up Sunderland’s ‘Casino of Desperation’ going forward.

Walter Mazzarri, Jaap Stam, Patrick Vieira, Sam Allardyce, Harry Redknapp and Sean Dyche are all linked with the vacancy but somehow names seem irrelevant at this point - anyone who has sat in the managerial hot seat since Steve Bruce, has failed to last a full season in charge. This is the stark fact that faces prospective candidates. Who has any credible theories on why the next person in charge should last any longer? Whilst the new applicants might, fans will no doubt take more time to be convinced it will be any different.

Like a poker player that has been cheated by the House, the Stadium of Light will soon be given a wide berth by anyone looking to take a chance on the Wearsiders.

Looking back, perhaps one of the most damaging blows to Advocaat’s reign was struck before the Premier League campaign had even took full flight. The Black Cats had three transfers during the summer transfer window fall at the final hurdle. Apparently several players all failed medicals including Belgian defender Nicolas Lombaerts who was deemed key in Advocaat’s thinking for the team this season. Someone who has the ability to play the ball out from the back in a more cultured fashion could have made Sunderland look more assured in defence. Eighteen goals conceded at the time of writing is a statistic that is frankly woeful.

Advocaat said upon his return that six quality signings were required - six players that could instantly fit into the side and elevate the squad up a notch. How many of those brought in by the Director of Football, Lee Congerton, can be couched as ‘quality signings’? Maybe three, at most?

Advocaat’s poker face didn’t convince from the start and despite investment in certain areas of the pitch new signings seemed to be more opportunistic rather than strategically targeted.

Names will continue to be linked in the coming days but I think we can all agree finding the next person to coach the Black Cats is simply only addressing one of many, many concerns. Just like any gamble in life though, luck will eventually run out. Let’s hope Sunderland survives another trip to the Premier League roulette table, for another year.