Tony Mowbray has agreed in principle to take over as Sunderland's new head coach, ChronicleLive understands. The former Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough, and Celtic boss quickly emerged as favourite to succeed Alex Neil over the weekend, following Neil's decision to become Stoke City's new manager - a move that was confirmed on Sunday evening.
Talks with Mowbray are believed to have progressed well over the last 24 hours and if the fine details can be worked out, the 58-year-old's appointment could be confirmed tomorrow ahead of Wednesday night's game against Rotherham United at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland were rocked on Friday by Neil's decision, revealed by ChronicleLive, to leave the Stadium of Light to take charge at Stoke after a successful six-month spell on Wearside in which he led the club to promotion from League One and then oversaw a positive start to life back in the Championship after a four-year absence.
Stoke are understood to have offered Neil a substantial increase on the salary he was earning at Sunderland, with the Black Cats unable to match that sum. Neil was absent from Sunderland's weekend home defeat against Norwich City with his assistant Martin Canning in charge instead, although Canning is now expected to follow Neil to the bet365 Stadium.
