Popular former Sunderland boss Gustavo Poyet, who has just finished up a short-term role with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Khaleej, has been chatting about Sunderland’s recent progress in the wake of the end of the Premier League season, in which the Lads recorded their best Premier League finish since 2001.
Poyet, who of course worked under different ownership during his spell in charge of Sunderland, has spoken about how the club might build over the coming seasons following a fantastic return to
the top flight in 2025-26.
Speaking to Roker Report on behalf of BetSelect.co.uk, he said:
I think the decision was that they knew Regis Le Bris very well when they brought him in, they believed in him, and they went up together. I don’t think the recruitment was right or wrong for the Premier League. There are teams like Fulham who spend £100 million and still go down. Then there are teams like Burnley under Vincent Kompany, who didn’t spend as much and went down anyway, so there is no right or wrong. Sunderland got it right because the players they brought in over the summer were very well suited to the team.
Now it is time to take another step forward, and the excitement brings even more ambition. Next season they might be talking about the Champions League, but I think that is too much. They need to settle into the top ten, enjoy Europe, and learn about balancing European football with the Premier League and having to play so many games. They need to build gradually and maintain that level. If they try to go too high too quickly, it can become a bigger problem, and they could find themselves in a relegation battle. Look at Tottenham, they won the Europa League but almost went down at the same time.
There is a process, and they shouldn’t aim too high, but I think the board know that.
Poyet is no stranger to Sunderland AFC co-owner Juan Sartori, a fellow Uruguayan of course, and he’s happy to see that things have worked out since he first got involved with the club back in 2017. He said:
Juan Sartori is very open and passionate, and he knows the majority owner very well because they work closely together; they have a strong connection. They’ve learned what the City needs and what the fans want, and they’ve been going about it quietly in the background.
Normally, we only talk about owners when something has gone terribly wrong, and we rarely acknowledge when things go right. But I think it’s fair to say they’ve done a great job. I’m happy for him because I have a personal relationship with him. We met outside of football and share a number of interests.
He knows I’m always supporting Sunderland, and I’m delighted for him.
Poyet actually had the opportunity to return to Sunderland back in 2020 when Phil Parkinson had been relieved of his duties, but he opted against it, and he says he has no regrets about his decision:
The decision I made was based on the circumstances at the time. When I was there, they weren’t in the position they are now, so no, I don’t regret not going back. It’s about understanding what you can achieve with your mentality, and I’m delighted for them. I know how important this is to the club, the fans and the city.
When you do well, you need to enjoy the moment because they’ve been through a difficult period for many years.
As well as being a much loved leader at Sunderland, Granit Xhaka captains the Switzerland national team and is incredibly popular — and one of his biggest fans is former Switzerland defender Philippe Senderos.
The pair played together for the national team, and Senderos has been chatting about Xhaka’s impact at Sunderland this season in the top flight.
The former Arsenal man, speaking with Roker Report on behalf of Premier League betting site BetWright, said:
It was a bit of a gamble for Granit Xhaka [to join Sunderland]. He won the title with Bayer Leverkusen, and ended up staying another year. The club then changed managers and unfortunately things didn’t seem to work out.
But to come back to the Premier League at 33-years old was bit of a gamble – and it has paid off. He’s been one of the signings of the season; he’s demonstrated great leadership skills and an elite mentality, which he’s brought to Sunderland and had a significant impact on the team’s performance.
Sunderland are a well-run club and they’ve made clever signings – Xhaka was one piece of the puzzle that they needed for things to click together.
There are not many players out there that are the same type of leader as Granit Xhaka. If I was a big club in Europe and needed a strong character who could lead a dressing room, I’d be looking at him.
For me, Xhaka is one of Switzerland’s best ever players, considering what he’s done in the Premier League, and in other leagues, but also in the national team. Switzerland have been qualifying for every World Cup since 2006 and just missed one European Championship. It is unbelievable that a small country like Switzerland can do that, and he’s been a big part of it.
