Championship weekend preview: No regrets for Chris Coleman
Saturday 24 February 2018 08:06, UK
Chris Coleman insists he has no regrets at taking the Sunderland job ahead of their clash with Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Black Cats are bottom of the table as they prepare to meet their North East rivals at the Stadium of Light, but Coleman, who swapped Wales for Wearside, insists he's happy he made the switch.
“Do you know what? I’m not sorry I joined Sunderland Football Club," he said. “I always thought my experience, however long I was going to be here, a year, two years, three years – you know what management is like – would make me better.
“The situation I’m in now is super tough, of course it is. It will still make me better. Anything I have ever achieved, generally I have had to suffer for it, sacrifice for it and come through hard times.
“We are in hard times now, we have been written off, we’re a hopeless case – fine, good, let’s see if we can come through that little bit of adversity and prove people wrong. But I am more than happy being here.”
Barnsley are 23rd in the table heading into the weekend and face a huge trip to relegation rivals Birmingham, knowing victory would see them leap above the Blues. Meanwhile Burton, the other side in the drop zone, host in-form Millwall.
Bolton eased their relegation fears with a victory over Sunderland in midweek but now face a tough trip to Norwich, while Reading, who are level on points with the Trotters, host Derby.
Paul Heckingbottom's search for a first Leeds win goes on against Brentford at Elland Road, while Preston host Ipswich and QPR face Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa will try and close the gap on second-placed Cardiff when they travel to Sheffield Wednesday, while the Bluebirds take on Bristol City in the Severnside derby on Sunday.
Fulham take on Wolves live on Sky Sports Football on Saturday evening, with all the action coming after Hull defeated Sheffield United 1-0 on Friday night.
