This summer, a former Sunderland boss could return to the Birmingham City dugout. Sunderland has a growing list of previous managers, with Tony Mowbray and Michael Beale joining the ranks following this season. Mowbray took Sunderland into the 2023/24 season, with the Black Cats in contention for another top-six finish. But Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus fired Mowbray shortly after recruiting Beale, who lasted only 12 games in charge. Mike Dodds tried but failed to pick up the pieces, and Sunderland finished 16th in the Championship table.
And now, more than three months after Beale’s dismissal, Sunderland still has a permanent manager and appears to be no closer to finding one. Former Sunderland manager Alex Neil has held ‘early talks’ with Birmingham City. Former Sunderland boss Alex Neil has reportedly held ‘early talks’ with Birmingham City about replacing Mowbray this summer.
Mowbray just quit as Birmingham City manager to focus on his health, as the Blues prepare for a League One campaign after finishing 22nd in the Championship standings. According to Telegraph journalist John Percy on X, Blues and Neil have spoken, with the 42-year-old’regarded as a good choice’ after leading Sunderland and Norwich City to Football League promotion. Neil was only with Sunderland for six months in 2022, winning 50% of his 24 appearances before joining Stoke City in August.
However, he was fired in December 2023, departing with a 33% win record despite Stoke City spending substantially in the transfer market past summer. Will former Sunderland boss Alex Neil be a good match for Birmingham City? Neil brings a wealth of experience to the table; he is approaching his 500th game as a manager, having previously managed Preston North End, Norwich City, and Sunderland.
And, while Sunderland fans have mixed feelings about Neil, he did a superb job of getting the Black Cats out of League One and then leading the squad to a bright start in the 2022/23 season. If he were still at the club, things might be a lot better now. But his time at Stoke City was obviously difficult, and it has set him back slightly, with a drop to League One now appearing likely.
Birmingham City remains an ambitious club. However, relegation was not expected this season, especially after such a promising start. Neil is familiar with League One, and Birmingham City has players like Alex Pritchard, with whom Neil previously worked at Sunderland, who may be a major focal point in the club next season, especially if Neil takes command. On paper, it appears to be a good fit, and Neil’s participation in initial negotiations implies that he is open to potentially taking over and replacing Mowbray, who previously replaced him at the Stadium of Light.
