Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has revealed the club tried to renew Alex Neil's contract on Friday amid the Scotsman's departure from the Stadium of Light for Stoke City.
Neil looks set to take the Potters job following a whirlwind turn of events on Wearside that have left Sunderland searching for a new manager after just six games back in the Championship.
The Black Cats were forced into appointing Martin Canning as interim boss for their Saturday lunchtime clash against Norwich City which was hardly ideal given the timing.
