Alex Neil Answers Stoke City’s Call but Leaves Sunderland Resentful

There is little normality in the Championship, often providing the unexpected, with manager Alex Neil leaving Sunderland for Stoke City, an intriguing twist. Neil became a hero on Wearside after returning the Black Cats to the second tier after four years of frustration and underachievement in League One.

The third tier is a division that has proved notoriously challenging to escape for the larger clubs that have found themselves there, but the Scottish coach restored a sense of belief and pride at the beleaguered North East outfit.

After beating Wycombe Wanderers in the playoff final, it seemed that the 41-year-old manager would lead Sunderland's Championship charge and recruited Daniel Ballard, Leon Dajaku, Aji Alese, Jack Clarke, Jewison Bennette, Alex Bass and Ellis Simms to bolster the squad.

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