Any sign of new owners & is Phil the man to lead Cats next year?
deal of uncertainty in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, not least when next season will start and when crowds will be allowed back in.
Two key factors for any potential new owners to consider given the reliance on matchday income and season ticket sales.
Donald must also lower his asking price, given the club is to spend a third season in League One. There is nothing imminent but we know there are groups interested. Fans may have to be patient a little longer. The fanbase has suffered for too long now.
MD: I think it’s unlikely we’ll see any change in the club’s ownership before the start of the 2020/21 season.
We do know there are groups interested in the club - and to be clear, that information is coming from potential buyers and not the club itself - but there is a reluctance to act when so much is unclear.
Football clubs are facing an unprecedented period without regular match day income and this will naturally see interested parties take a more cautious approach.
There is also the question over Stewart Donald’s asking price which is regarded by some potential buyers as unrealistic. We do know that staggered payments have been discussed with some groups, while Madrox have repeatedly stated they can be ‘flexible within reason’ over the price. But while there are people interested at the moment, there is nothing in the way of advanced talks. Given that due diligence can take weeks, if not months, to complete properly, I think it’s unlikely that we’ll see new owners at the Stadium of Light in the short-term.
RM: It has been a difficult start to life on Wearside given the poor run of results to start with and then the suspension of football.
However, there were signs after Christmas when Sunderland looked to have turned their season around that Parkinson has what it takes to challenge for promotion. He deserves a full summer and chance to make his mark, the players certainly looked fitter during his time in charge.
Again, a lot of it may well depend on the ownership and whether there is a change in the boardroom but as things stand Parkinson is certainly planning for next season.
MD: Yes, I’d back Parkinson next season.
I can understand why some supporters are yet to be convinced, given that for every strong performance under his leadership there has been an equally disappointing one. But given a summer to make his mark on the squad, and to assemble a group of players that can fit into his desired system, I really do believe that Parkinson can have Sunderland competing for promotion.
Consistency will be key, and is something his reign thus far has lacked, but I’m prepared to give him an opportunity to assemble his own squad and put his mark on the club.
RM: It probably depends who owns the club as it’s not yet clear what level of budget will be handed to Phil Parkinson this summer.
At this level most business involves free transfers or loans or small transfer fees, you don’t have to spend big to win promotion. Sunderland spent £3million on Will Grigg and look how that turned out.
However, Sunderland don’t have any parachute payments anymore and there is uncertainty over next season regards when it will start or when fans will be allowed back in so all these factors are taken into consideration when deciding on budgets etc. It is a complex picture for any lower league club.
MD: Given the events of the last few months, and the unpredictability that lies ahead, I think we’ll see a real shift in the market this summer.
There are likely to be over 1,400 players available on a free transfer this summer and, with clubs tightening the purse strings, I’d imagine we will see a scenario where few transfer fees are paid - particularly in League One.
That’s not to say that no money will change hands over the course of the next few months, but it would be little surprise to see, say, 95 per cent of transfers in the third tier being those which involve free agents.
Sunderland fans are naturally sceptical about the free agent market given the club’s hit-and-miss approach in recent years, so the key this summer will be picking the right free agents. Jordan Willis needs to act as the standard-bearer, and here’s hoping Parkinson and the club’s recruitment team can unearth some more gems this summer. Fans, for now though, will undoubtedly remain sceptical about the club’s ability to do that.