Derek McInnes has elected to stay with Aberdeen instead of switching to Sunderland.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes
Sunderland have suffered a serious blow after Derek McInnes chose to stick with Aberdeen instead of taking on their vacant manager’s job.
McInnes was Sunderland’s first choice, with BBC Sport reporting that he had decided to stay put.
The two teams had agreed a compensation package and McInnes had been given permission to speak to Sunderland.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes celebrates
His decision is a huge boost for Aberdeen, whose summer had started off poorly by losing players or having to fend off bids for their stars.
The prospect of losing their manager was a far more serious concern and so keeping McInnes is a big boost.
For Sunderland it is the opposite. The club are still reeling from relegation after a miserable 2016/17 season which saw David Moyes resign earlier this month.
Former Sunderland manager David Moyes
With just over two weeks remaining before pre-season begins, Sunderland are back to the drawing board in their efforts to find a new manager.
Their predicament has provided untold amusement for fans of rivals Newcastle, who had no such difficulties when they were relegated 12 months ago.
Champions League winner Rafa Benitez agreed to stay on as boss and led them to immediate promotion as title winners.
Right now only the most optimistic of Sunderland fans could project the same outcome.
Here is a look at how Newcastle fans reacted to McInnes’ Sunderland snub…
Sunderland fans
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