Kristjaan Speakman has promised Sunderland fans an update 'shortly' on the club's search for a new head coach, amidst reports that Chelsea's Anthony Barry is a contender along with early favourite Tony Mowbray. At 5pm last night confirmation came that, as revealed by ChronicleLive on Friday, Alex Neil had left Sunderland to take charge of their Championship rivals Stoke City.
Neil was given permission to talk to Stoke on Friday but in reality his mind was already made up, with the Black Cats unwilling or unable to match the contract on offer at the bet365 Stadium. And as part of yesterday's statement that rubber-stamped Neil's departure, sporting director Speakman said the search for a successor had already begun.
"The process to appoint a new head coach is underway and we will provide a further update to our supporters shortly," he said.
