---
title: "Sunderland: Keith Downie drops latest Alex Neil update"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/stoke-manager-news-neil-championship/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Championship News"
published: "2022-08-26T12:10:01Z"
modified: "2022-08-26T12:17:06Z"
---

# Sunderland: Keith Downie drops latest Alex Neil update

**Sky Sports journalist and North East reporter Keith Downie has now revealed an ‘internal’ update from [Sunderland](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/) involving Alex Neil and Stoke City.**

### The Lowdown: Stoke bombshell

[Downie](https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/1563109501141909506) reported this morning that Neil has been given permission to speak to Stoke over their vacant managerial position, following the sacking of Michael O’Neill.

*“Understand Sunderland boss Alex Neil has been given permission to speak to Stoke over their vacant managerial position.”*

Neil’s press conference ahead of their game at home to Norwich City in the Championship at Saturday lunchtime has been [delayed](https://twitter.com/JHunterChron/status/1563114771473637379) from this morning, and the Scotsman was surely set to be asked to address his future amid links to the Potters.

### The Latest: ‘Internal’ talks

Following on from his update, [Downie](https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/1563109505226838016) also revealed that ‘internal’ talks are taking place at the Stadium of Light on the basis that the Wearside club would like to keep Neil:

*“I’m told Sunderland are hoping they can keep Neil and internal conversations are taking place on those grounds.”*

[Downie](https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/1563110246641717249) also added that Neil is not the only manager that Stoke are considering to replace O’Neill at this moment in time:

*“Expecting talks to take place between Neil & Stoke today. Terrible timing for Sunderland on the eve of the visit of Norwich. However I’m told Neil isn’t the only manager Stoke are considering.”*

However, the reporter then [revealed](https://twitter.com/skysports_keith/status/1563136675706187777?s=21&t=OnNTwQNh9Lez_WSXIJuLhQ) the most worrying update yet.

*“Update: I’m told Alex Neil is in a car travelling to Stoke for talks as I type. Can’t see his 2pm Sunderland press conference taking place. This doesn’t look good.”*

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398290″\]

### The Verdict: Pull out all the stops

It is certainly promising to hear of the Black Cats’ behind-scenes attempts to keep Neil at the club, while Stoke are also considering other managerial candidates, but Downie’s latest comment is a concern.

\[freshpress-poll id=”387921″\]

Boasting a rate of 1.88 points-per-match (PPM) at SAFC, the highest average he has achieved of any club he has managed bar a caretaker role at Hamilton, the 41-year-old led the club to promotion from League One last season, and upon their return to the Championship, he has gotten off to a great start with two wins and two draws in their first five league games ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alex-neil/profil/trainer/24018)).

Nonetheless, to lose Neil to one of their Championship rivals would be devastating for Sunderland, and so they should be looking to keep hold of him at all costs.