McClaren was sacked as Newcastle United head coach last season as they were relegated from the Premier League.
It is no secret that Steve McClaren’s disastrous nine month spell in charge of Newcastle United was a large reason as to why the club were relegated from the Premier League last season.
The former England manager achieved just seven wins in 31 matches during his time on Tyneside and despite the club recruiting Champions League winning manager Rafa Benitez in a desperate attempt to save their season – it ultimately proved too little too late as the Magpies were relegated during the final week of the campaign.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
So when McClaren appeared on Sky Sports News to discuss David Moyes’ claims that Sunderland are in a relegation battle following their winless start to the season, presenter Rob Wotton seemingly couldn’t resist a taking a dig at the former Newcastle boss.
After discussing Moyes’ claims, Wotton interjected: “Surely it’s better to (admit problems early) than to say – sleepwalk through until March before doing anything.”
This is perhaps a not so subtle reference to McClaren’s tenure at Newcastle in which he kept telling fans and the media to judge him after a varying number of matches before he was eventually sacked in March last season following a 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth.
McClaren’s failure to address United’s key problems and admit the club were in a relegation battle ultimately cost him his job.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
And he responded to Wotton by saying: “I don’t think (Sunderland) will sleepwalk through until March. They’ll address their problems in the January transfer window.”
Sunderland face Moyes’ former club Everton at the Stadium of Light this evening (8pm kick-off) as they look to avoid the same fate as their North-East rivals this term.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Can Sunderland stay up?
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