Poyet: Many happy times when boss at SAFC

Former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet says he would welcome the chance to manage in England again.

Poyet led the Black Cats to the League Cup final in 2014, while also pulling off a “miracle” escape from relegation the same year.

“I’m very fortunate to have worked in football, fortunate to be able to make a difference to people’s lives and bring happiness,” Poyet told the South China Morning Post.

“At Sunderland, fans would see me riding my bike along the beautiful seafront by the North Sea and cars would be beeping me, people would be waving and wishing me well for the next game.

“I lived in an apartment block and word soon spread. I’d get letters from neighbours saying they were proud that they lived in the same block as the manager of their team.

“We beat Man United away in the League Cup semi-final on penalties. It was 3am when I got home. The neighbours had put a giant Sunderland scarf around the plant in the hallway and there were Sunderland shirts in the windows of my apartment building like you’d see the flags of countries in other parts of the world.”

Poyet, was sacked by Sunderland in March, 2015, and is currently out of work after leaving Bordeaux last month, following an emotional bust-up with the club’s owners.

“It’s not easy, there are other good managers out of work, but I’m a better manager after all my recent travels.”