DONCASTER v SUNDERLAND A DECADE OF DOOM Black Cats’ cash crisis
ELEVEN managers, a plunge down two divisions and more than 50 places... all achieved with over £200million of losses.
The tale of Sunderland’s decade of decline is calamitous.
They head to Doncaster today at the lowest ebb in their 140-year history – in League One.
To put that into perspective they started the 2010s mid-table in the Premier League.
They’ve not won since November 2 against Southend and they have not scored in the league away from home since September 21 – and that was a penalty.
The only reason Phil Parkinson – five league wins in 33 games at his two clubs in 2019 – is still in a job after two months in charge is because the club almost certainly can’t afford to sack him.
No wonder supporters demanded the return of former strike hero Kevin Phillips at their dour 0-0 draw with Bolton on Boxing Day.
Phillips wants the job and would certainly add some nostalgia and hope.
Out-of-work Steve McClaren also watched Sunderland recently and is on record as saying he’d like to manage his third North East club.
But he would have to do it for the love, not the money.
In 10 years the Black Cats have made losses of £216m, much absorbed by former owner Ellis Short when he handed the club to businessman Stewart Donald.
His cost-slashing reign has left a squad short on star quality and, crucially, pace and athleticism, needed to win promotion.
Donald and director Charlie Methven pushed the emotional buttons of fans last season and even got them volunteering labour to refurbish the Stadium of
Light. But Donald doesn’t have the cash to kick on, US investors have loaned £10m, and could take control unless repayments are kept up.
Parkinson wants a new No.9 and a defender in January.
He has spoken twice this week to Donald and believes his job is safe for now. He concedes that the dressing-room atmosphere is not the best – and that is clearly shown with just eight points from 10 league games.
Someone has got to start the rebuilding at Sunderland after a decade of demolition.