Like Kevin Nolan and Sam Allardyce, Andi Weimann and Paul Lambert go hand in hand – but would they reunite at Sunderland after spells at Villa and Wolves?
Former Sunderland manager David Moyes
After David Moyes sucked the joy from the Stadium of Light like some curly-haired dementor, Sunderland supporters would have been hoping for a manager to bring a little excitement back to Wearside.
However, reports in The Mirror that The Black Cats have added Paul Lambert to their list of managerial candidates may not get fans shelling out for a shiny new season ticket.
After all, the Glaswegian’s reputation has taken a beating in recent years by virtue of a dreadful end to his Aston Villa tenure and short-lived, uninspiring spells at Blackburn Rovers and Wolves.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Paul Lambert
Nonetheless, Lambert’s track record still justifies the club’s decision to take him into consideration. After taking over at Norwich City in 2009, he guided them to the Premier League within two years. He’s also got plenty of Championship experience and knows what it takes to operate on a shoestring budget – something that should appeal to the hierarchy of a debt-ridden Sunderland.
And it’s natural for Sunderland supporters to consider the quality of players Lambert could bring to a club whose squad is expected to be ravaged by summer departures, particularly in the attacking department.
Ready made replacement?
Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe will leave on frees, Fabio Borini will likely be sold and Adnan Januzaj has returned to Manchester United after his loan expired. This doesn’t bode well for a side who scored just 29 Premier League goals while finishing bottom of the table.
Fabio Borini has been linked with Celtic and AC Milan
Therefore, it would be no surprise if one of Lambert’s first acts at the Stadium of Light would be to reunite with Andi Weimann – particularly after his manager at Derby County, Gary Rowett, admitted that the Austrian could be made available (Birmingham Mail).
Lambert gave Weimann his chance in the Premier League at Aston Villa, encouraging the hard-working forward to praise his coach’s ‘excellent man-management skills’ and laud the ‘unbelievable job’ he was doing at Villa Park, as reported by the club’s official website in 2014.
Paul Lambert and Andreas Weimann
And Lambert did not wait around to link up with Weimann again, signing him on loan at Wolves in January. He impressed in 19 games, helping keep Wolves in the division.
Therefore, there would be short odds on Weimann rocking up on Wearside.
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