The Aberdeen boss has claimed that Sunderland’s problems stretch beyond the manager.
Derek McInnes has given his opinion of Simon Grayson’s sacking by Sunderland, the club he could have been managing instead.
The Aberdeen boss turned down an approach from Sunderland in the summer, prompting the Mackems to go for Grayson instead.
The Englishman won only one of his 15 league games in charge of the side relegated from last season’s top flight, and was sacked this week with Sunderland 22nd in the Championship.
McInnes, though, appears to have taken little pleasure from Grayson’s Stadium of Light failure.
“It was sad to see the news about Simon Grayson. It doesn’t give any satisfaction seeing that because he is a good manager,” he told the Scottish Sun. “Simon proved that before he went to Sunderland and I’m sure he will prove it again elsewhere.”
And if Sunderland were to renew their interest in McInnes, his comments suggest that his stance remains the same as it was four months ago.
He added: “It just shows you the difficulties managers have. We are not blameless for results, of course, but when things are as poor as they are at Sunderland it’s an indication it’s more than the manager.
“It’s sad to see someone lose their job so early in the season, but it’s clearly very difficult circumstances to be working in.
“I can only speak for myself and the way I felt at the time, because I don’t know the ins and outs of what’s gone on there.
“Clearly Sunderland wasn’t going to be an easy job. It was always going to be tough, and that’s how Grayson has found it.”
McInnes could still be on the move this autumn, with Glasgow Rangers said to have made him their number one target to replace Pedro Caixinha at Ibrox.
The 46-year-old played for Rangers during the second half of the 1990s, but reiterated his commitment to Aberdeen this week.
Would Sunderland be better off had McInness taken the job?
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