Coleman’s been cheered up by Reid’s pep talks
CATS BOSS TAKING INSPIRATION FROM PREDECESSOR
CHRIS Coleman hopes he can inspire a Peter Reid-esque revival at Sunderland after taking inspiration from the club favourite himself.
Reid is regarded as one of Sunderland’s greatest ever managers, having guided the club to consecutive seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League during a golden period for the Wearside outfit.
Yet, much like the man in the Stadium of Light dug-out today, Reid had to overcome adversity in the early days before becoming a club legend.
The former England international’s first task – just like Coleman’s today – was to guide Sunderland to safety in the second tier. Something Reid achieved before then winning promotion in his first full campaign.
It would feel like nothing short of another miracle if Coleman
(below) was able to lead his current under-equipped Sunderland side to safety from their remaining eight games this term, five points needing to be made up in that time.
With owner Ellis Short now no longer investing towards new signings, the club’s future overall looks bleak.
That is not deterring Coleman, though. Far from it, in fact. After a recent chat with Reid, Coleman is as determined as ever to bring good times back to Wearside. He said: “I spoke to Reidy not long ago, he has been great. He always gives me a call – ‘keep your chin up,’ telling me how tough it was at the start when he was here. “The club has been written off before and bounced back.” Coleman’s decision back in November to choose struggling Sunderland after a successful time as manager of Wales shocked many.
He has been unable to turn the club’s fortunes around but the passionate Welshman is still as convinced now as he was when he first came that, with the right resources, he could produce the right results. Something that would make for special memories for him personally.
Coleman added: “Going forward, I know what needs to be done. If a new owner came in and said ‘let’s go, get on with it’ I would be the happiest man going. That would be ideal.
“I know what I want to do and I hope I have the chance to do it.
“I know how I see this club moving forward and certainly on the pitch, I think I know what it needs in terms of the team and what type of team. I just hope I have the chance to do it.”