Sunderland
Bouncebackability 7/10
Things are not quite as bad as they seem
Manager
The continued uncertainty about David Moyes’s future is a hindrance as they look to rebuild after a relegation that had been in the post for years. There are also questions surrounding his ability to manage after such a disastrous first season and there is a large section of the support that wants him to go. He may yet satisfy their demands because the Scot, having been told by owner Ellis Short that he wants him to stay, is trying to make sure he has everything he needs to give him the best chance of success. If he does not get it, he will walk. If Moyes goes, it would not be disastrous, but it would delay the rebuild, which could be costly.
Squad strength
The squad has been both bloated and weak, a horrible combination. A huge amount needs to be done in terms of recruitment. There are lots of players either coming to the end of loans or permanent contracts and they will have to be replaced. In the main, though, they are all players the club want to get rid of and will not be missed.
They will want to get as much as they can for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, but the likes of Lamine Koné and Fabio Borini are also saleable assets. If that money is allowed to be reinvested in the team, rather than cover losses after relegation, Sunderland will have a decent transfer budget to make the squad ready for a promotion challenge. There is also a group of about 10 players who should be good enough to turn Sunderland into a strong secondtier team. It is worth remembering that Sunderland have always challenged for promotion after each of their last three Premier League relegations.
Owner
Ellis Short is almost as unpopular as Moyes and faces a monumental decision. He either gambles and spends even more of his money to get Sunderland back to the top flight at the first attempt – even though the club are severely in debt – or he cuts costs and hopes for the best. Moyes has demanded he takes the first option, but the American is difficult to predict. If he takes the second route, he will have to find a manager with Championship experience to build the best team he can out of the wreckage. Short is also desperate to sell, but like Hull, having failed to find a buyer in the Premier League, it seems fanciful to suggest he will do so in the Championship. To get out, he must get Sunderland back up and that could be key.