Coaching duo join list to be shown door by new boss
ROBBIE Stockdale and Adrian Tucker have left their roles at Sunderland AFC as new manager Jack Ross looks to put his own stamp on his backroom team on Wearside.
The club confirmed yesterday that the pair will leave their roles with immediate affect.
Stockdale (main picture) had been with the Black Cats since 2012, initially as a youth coach. The Under-21 side were top of the league under his management in October 2015 when he was placed in caretaker charge of the first team following Dick Advocaat’s departure. He was ultimately promoted to first-team coach under Sam Allardyce that month and has served in that role since.
Last season he was twice placed in caretaker charge, including for the final-day 3-0 victory over Wolves, but he will now depart the club, along with goalkeeper coach Tucker.
Tucker (right) had been at the club since March 2015, arriving with Advocaat and helping to guide the Black Cats to Premier League safety that season. The 41-year-old continued his duties under Allardyce, David Moyes, Simon Grayson and Chris Coleman. A club statement read: “Sunderland AFC has confirmed the departures of first-team coach Robbie Stockdale and goalkeeping coach Adrian Tucker. “The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Robbie and Adrian for their hard work and professionalism throughout their time at the Stadium of Light. We wish them both every success for the future.” Ross has already brought St Mirren assistant James Fowler with him to Sunderland, but there are no indications yet as to who else will join him. Dunfermline coach John Potter has been linked with a move to Sunderland after he and Ross were team-mates at St Mirren. Former Sunderland keeper Tony Coton has also been linked with a return to the club, although it is uncertain whether he would be able to complete a coaching role. Coton has been working as Aston Villa’s chief scout but is expected to leave the Midlands club after they failed to gain promotion back to the Premier League.