Sunderland fan boldly suggests club should appoint Brighton’s Graham Potter as new manager

A Sunderland fan has told the club to be ambitious and appoint Brighton’s Graham Potter as their new manager to replace Alex Neil. 

Neil shocked the Championship club after he expressed his desire to leave Sunderland for Stoke. 

After the news broke, a Sunderland fan tweeted to ask fellow supporters who they wanted the club to appoint as Neil’s replacement. 

Who would you like to see replace Alex Neill? #SAFC

— Jack Waldron (@waldron1994) August 28, 2022

Many fans replied with former Burnley manager Sean Dyche, however, one fan had a more ambitious target. 

The fan said: “I would like the club to show some ambition and try to tempt Graham Potter from Brighton.

“Seems laughable, but surely we have to be convincing managers (and ourselves?) that we are top 10 Prem potential, and Potter has surely taken Brighton as far as he can.” 

I would like the club to show some ambition and try to tempt Graham Potter from Brighton.

Seems laughable, but surely we have to be convincing managers (and ourselves?) that we are top 10 Prem potential, and Potter has surely taken Brighton as far as he can.

— Hummy (@eathummous1) August 28, 2022

Many fans were quick to make fun of the tweet.

One fan replied: “Is this a comedy account? Potter has taken Brighton as far as he can? So what, he should now jump down a level and start again from the bottom?”

Another said: “Laughable? It’s hilarious hahahaha top 10 Prem potential, not even championship top 10 potential, your manager just left to go to Stoke.”

A third added: “If you’re going all out to show ambition I hear those Pep or Jurgen fellows are pretty good too!”

Sunderland fan saying go for potter is actually hurt my head

— fn ⛷⛷ (@FNDoesHipHop) August 28, 2022

In truth, it is extremely unlikely that Potter would leave a club in the Premier League to join a Championship club, especially with the start the Seagulls have made so far this season. 

Potter’s side are unbeaten after winning three and drawing one of their first four games. With 10 points, they currently sit fourth in the table, two points adrift of leaders Arsenal. 

Meanwhile, Sunderland are expected to appoint former Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray as Neil’s replacement.

41-year-old Neil left Sunderland for 17th placed Stoke, having only managed the north east club since February this year. Upon his appointment, club chairman John Coates said: “Alex was our number one choice to become our new manager and I’m delighted we have secured his services so quickly.

“His managerial pedigree is excellent with three promotions already on his CV and we are looking forward to working closely with him to help him realise the ambitions that he and the Club share.”

We're delighted to confirm the appointment Alex Neil as our new manager! 🤝

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 28, 2022

First game for Neil in charge of Stoke will be against Swansea City at the Bet365 Stadium.