Alex Neil has no intention of relitigating his Sunderland exit ahead of his return to Wearside with Stoke City this weekend. Neil took over at Sunderland 12 months ago and spent six months in charge of the Black Cats, leading the club into the play-offs and to promotion at Wembley last summer, before leaving to take over at Stoke at the end of August.
The Scot was treated as a hero by Sunderland fans for ending the club's four-year stay in League One, but his departure left a sour taste with many and he is likely to receive a hot reception when he returns to the Stadium of Light tomorrow. But Neil did not rake over old ground in his pre-match press conference, preferring instead to say he felt 'extremely privileged' to have managed the club and called it a 'great time in my career'.
"In terms of how I left, people will attach their own narrative to that," said Neil. "The one thing I'll say about Sunderland is that I feel extremely privileged to have been given the opportunity to manage that club.
READ MORE: Sunderland confirm two more Championship fixtures will move for live TV coverage on Sky Sports
"We had great success there in terms of winning at Wembley and I loved my time there. It was a great time in my career. I remember it fondly, people will have their own opinion on differing things but I don't think anyone knows all the variables attached to it and I'm certainly not going to get involved in that."
In a twist of fate, Neil's final game in charge of Sunderland came against Stoke when he led the Black Cats to a 1-0 win at the bet365 Stadium on August 20, with Ross Stewart scoring the only goal. Stoke sacked their then-boss Michael O'Neill in the wake of the that defeat, and by the end of the week Neil was announced as his successor and Tony Mowbray installed as Sunderland's new head coach a couple of days later.
Neil has found it tough going at Stoke, and the Potters will arrive at Sunderland sitting 17th in the table - nine points behind ninth-placed Sunderland, and nine points above the relegation zone. Neil said of Sunderland: "It'll be a tough game, they've got good players.
"They've got good momentum, when you gain a promotion. In football you're only ever going one way or another. Dropping down the leagues is obviously a painful experience but when you strip it back to the bricks and then you can build, sometimes that foundation is then solid. They've got some really talented players, matchwinners at the top end of the pitch.
"Technicians who can look after the ball and hurt you at any moment, that's the threat they bring. I know a lot about them but the fact is, when you're capable of cutting inside and sticking it in the top corner, whether I know about you or not you're still capable of doing it.
"We need to be aware of the threat and deal with it, and also hurt them going the other way. The game has got two sides to it, and if we do both sides well we'll give ourselves a great opportunity."
READ NEXT:
- Tony Mowbray gives his verdict on reports Dan Neil is in talks over a new contract at Sunderland
- 'Frustrated' Jewison Bennette has time on his side at Sunderland insists Tony Mowbray
- Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray outlines his attacking dilemma as he looks to find a workaround
- Injured duo will miss Sunderland's clash with Stoke City at the Stadium of Light
- Alex Neil has 'no regrets' over Sunderland departure as Stoke City ambition laid out
