Sticking with the boss is a change for the better!
MOYES BACKS CLUB’S PLAN FOR MANAGERIAL STABILITY
SUNDERLAND’S revolving-door managerial policy has come to an end - and not before time, according to David Moyes.
The Black Cats’ constant relegation battles have seen the club change manager every season since 2011 - Moyes the seventh boss in six years - and with Steve Bruce the last man to survive a full campaign at the helm in 2010-11.
With Sunderland propping up the Premier League table and seven points from safety, Moyes accepts there are fans who believe another change is the answer because it has worked in the past - at least as far as top-flight survival is concerned.
Yet owner Ellis Short’s decision to appoint an experienced chief executive in Martin Bain last summer has brought with it a change in mindset.
Sunderland are set to stand by Moyes even if the Black Cats lose their battle against the drop - and build for the longterm rather than continue with the shortterm hiring and firing policy which has kept the club in the top flight without tackling the root causes of failure.
Moyes said: “I think Sunderland supporters have been through it all before and they would turn around and tell you changing manager is not the right way – the club has tried that.
“I think they have seen it has not worked and the club has had to look to try something else.
“When you are not winning, you get the criticism that goes with it.”
In contrast to previous years, Sunderland have this season made a genuine attempt to explain the seriousness of the underlying situation to fans, Bain pulling no punches with his assessment of the club’s finances when he spoke in advance of the January transfer window.
Moyes has also refused to gloss over uncomfortable truths, even when he has perhaps been a little too honest in the eyes of many fans.
He attracted criticism for saying in August he felt the club would be involved in another relegation battle and, while his prediction has been proven correct, he takes no pleasure in that.
Nevertheless, he believes being straight with the supporters was the right thing to do, insisting: “It has helped, I think.
“We have tried to be right upfront, there has been no hiding anything.
“The supporters have been great but if they were not then I would totally understand.
“I think they understand there has to be more stability here.”
I think they have seen that it has not worked and the club has had to look to try something else. David Moyes