Sunderland fans upset to see Chris Coleman go
Monday 30 April 2018 15:28, UK
Sunderland fans have been reacting with disappointment to the news that Chris Coleman has been sacked as manager.
Coleman and his assistant Kit Symons were dismissed on Sunday shortly before the owner Ellis Short revealed a deal had been agreed to sell the club to a group led by Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald, subject to English Football League approval.
The majority of fans Sky Sports News spoke to had sympathy with Coleman but were pleased to see the end of Short's tenure at the club.
Paul Dobson from the A Love Supreme fanzine said: "My reaction is that we got rid of Ellis Short which is what we wanted.
"On the other hand now that the dust has settled and the manager has gone as well, we think that while he has not been entirely blameless because we've questioned his personnel on the field, his tactics and his formations, there has been nothing there for him to work with.
"If the new consortium haven't got someone lined up now then they're mad but we're looking more into it and thinking where is the money actually coming from? Who else is involved in the consortium?"
Other supporters took a similar view. "I don't understand why they've sacked Chris Coleman, " one said. "To me it's same old, same old: sack the manager. They need the players sacked not the manager but I'm really pleased with the takeover."
Another added: "I was a bit upset about Chris Coleman leaving because although fans were divided by him he could have been the guy to take us up.
"But I'm not complaining about the new owners because even though Ellis Short did pay off the debt he's still made a lot of mistakes."
Another fan said: "It was good news getting rid of Short, that was the main thing and now we can start again hopefully in a better position than we were a few month ago."
Donald, who will relinquish the ownership of Eastleigh, now has the whole summer to address the slide which has seen Sunderland suffer consecutive relegations.
But on a positive note Sunderland have already sold more season tickets than any other club in League One.
