The Black Cats letting two major backroom staff depart from the club signifies a clear message of intent from new owner Stewart Donald.
Sunderland fans have taken to Twitter to react to reports emerging from Sunderland that confirm first-team coach Robbie Stockdale and goalkeeping coach Adrian Tucker have departed from the club.
New owner Stewart Donald hinted when he took over the club that there would be wholesale changes from top to bottom – and news of Stockdale and Tucker departing certainly signifies Donald’s intent.
38-year-old Stockdale joined Sunderland as youth team coach from Grimsby in 2012 and has even managed the first-team on three different occasions when the Black Cats have been manager-less.
Stockdale has enjoyed some success in past years with Sunderland, but after his involvement in relegations from the Premier League and Championship, Stockdale’s time was all but up.
Like Stockdale, Sunderland’s goalkeeping coach Adrian Tucker departs from the Wearside club after three years with the Black Cats.
Tucker joined Sunderland in 2015 as a member of Dick Advocaat’s backroom staff and that season helped secure Premier League survival.
The 41-year-old has also worked under Sam Allardyce, David Moyes, Simon Grayson and more recently Chris Coleman.
Tucker also played a big part in the development of Sunderland’s former goalkeeper and Academy graduate Jordan Pickford – who left the club for Everton when Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League in 2017.
Below is some of the best social media reaction:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
