CLARKY PUT HIS SHIRT ON ME!
The No.1pullout that scores EVERY time Cats’ villain backed me for job says Chris THOMAS IS IN ELL OF A MOOD
CHRIS COLEMAN has revealed how the man the Mackems love to hate urged him to join troubled Sunderland.
Lee Clark, who starred for two years at Sunderland, is best remembered for being snapped in a derogatory T-shirt at Newcastle’s FA Cup final appearance in 1999.
For the lifelong Newcastle supporter, it spelt the end of his Black Cats career, with Clark joining Fulham and becoming big pals with Coleman (right).
And despite his Geordie roots and Sunderland’s current plight, Clark had no hesitation in urging Coleman ®Êby IAN MURTAGH to head to Wearside. Coleman, who takes his rock-bottom side to Burton today, said: “Clarky was texting me all the time telling me it was one of the best clubs he’s ever played for. “Lee loved it here. Sunderland were riding high at the time and he always used to talk about the atmosphere and what a great team they were. “He was gutted how it turned out in the end. It was unfortunate what happened. “Lee was maybe two or three sheets to the wind and someone threw him a T-shirt. “I don’t think he realised ®Êby GEORGE SCOTT what was going to happen.” Many fans have never forgiven Clark for the incident and despite being out of work after his recent sacking at Bury, he won’t be linking up with Coleman again.
“There’s no chance of a job here,” joked Coleman. “He doesn’t live far from here but if I was to have a coffee with Lee, I’d probably have to go to him.”
Leaders
Lee Cattermole – who missed Tuesday 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in Coleman’s first game in charge – is set to return as Sunderland seek their first win since August.
The midfielder shares captaincy duties with John O’Shea but Coleman wants leadership throughout the team.
He added: “We need leaders, not just one. Everyone needs to accept the situation we’re in, but we’re in control of our own destiny.
“Burton is a six-pointer and the game after against Reading will be just as important.”