Mowbray names club he’d love to see join Sunderland in Premier League
Sunderland will be returning to the Premier League next season after an eight-year absence.
The Black Cats were victorious in the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United, winning 2-1 with an added-time goal from Tommy Watson.
Sunderland were the underdogs going into the match, with Sheffield United within touching distance of a two-goal lead that was controversially denied by VAR.
Regis Le Bris’ side are already planning their next steps within the summer transfer window to prepare for the top flight.
Former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray voiced his opinion on who he would love to follow in Sunderland’s footsteps to promotion in the coming years.
Mowbray wants to see Middlesbrough in Premier League
With Sunderland making their long-awaited return, Mowbray hopes Boro could be next after experiencing the same eight-year absence from the top-flight.
Mowbray told The Red Radio (27 May): “I don’t feel as though Middlesbrough are that far away from competing at the level that Sunderland did this year.
“I’d say they’re only a player or two away. If they can have a really positive summer transfer market, then I believe they will have a really strong season next year.
“The North East should have three teams in the Premier League. It’s a real hotbed of football with so much emotion and passion.
“I think it’s important they’re all there because the games are all huge. It’s about the people, it’s about the supporters, it’s about the stadiums. There is nowhere more vibrant than the working-class areas of the UK.”
| 3rd | Sheffield United | 90 Points |
| 4th | Sunderland | 76 Points |
| 5th | Coventry | 69 Points |
| 6th | Bristol City | 68 Points |
| 7th | Blackburn Rovers | 66 Points |
| 8th | Millwall | 66 Points |
| 9th | West Brom | 64 Points |
| 10th | Middlesbrough | 64 Points |
Mowbray was a crucial part of Sunderland’s return to the Championship in 2022/23, helping them reach the play-off semi-finals.
Middlesbrough finished 10th in the Championship this season, only narrowly missing out on the play-offs by four points.
Premier League increasingly harsh to promoted teams
Sunderland fans are already looking forward to their first season back in the Premier League since 2017, with at least two matches against rivals Newcastle.
The Black Cats will be joined in the top flight by Leeds and Burnley, who both earned automatic promotion.
Yet the harshness of the Premier League to newly promoted teams overshadows their promotion, as in the last two seasons, all promoted sides were relegated, including Leeds United and Burnley in 2022/23.
Betting firms have been quick to place the Black Cats as favourites to make a swift return to the Championship.
There is no doubt that Sunderland will have their work cut out to make their return last more than a season, with their activity in the transfer market being crucial to their performance.