Sunderland fans in hysterics as Newcastle United make new appointment
Sunderland are now back in the Premier League after a long absence, and they have made some ambitious transfers.
The Black Cats have spent heavily as part of a longer-term project under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and fans are optimistic for the future.
This is a far cry from where Sunderland were during their eight-year spell in the lower leagues, which saw two consecutive relegations and chaos at boardroom level.
Several managers came and went at the Stadium of Light, and most were underwhelming, but one has now taken a senior role at bitter rivals Newcastle.
Sunderland fans mock Newcastle after Jack Ross appointment
Former Sunderland manager Jack Ross actually joined Newcastle in 2023 in a minor backroom role, but he has now been promoted to become their Head of Football Strategy.
Ross was appointed as Sunderland boss in 2018 to lead them after their relegation from the Championship, but lost the play-off final after an underwhelming season, and was sacked a few months later.
With Sunderland now thriving under Regis Le Bris, fans cannot believe that Ross has landed such a role at Newcastle, and have now mocked the Magpies following the news.
Sunderland have come a long way since Ross
Ross was far from popular at Sunderland, with his managerial style breeding neither good football or strong results, and it was a disappointing few years in League One for the Mackems.
Fast forward a few years, and Sunderland are now back where they belong in the top flight, with a young squad which is now being boosted with extra investment, and a manager and ownership which most fans are behind.
Ross won 40 of his 76 games in charge of Sunderland, but this was not enough in League One with a side which should not have been there.
Their return will also mean the return of the Tyne-Wear derby, and Sunderland will be hoping for their first victory over Newcastle since October 2015.
The two sides have not faced each other in a league game since March 2016, with Newcastle relegated later that season and Sunderland facing the same fate a year later.
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