On this day in 2019, Phil Parkinson was appointed manager of Sunderland AFC and would go on to be one of the worst managers in the club's history...
Parkinson had seen success with Bradford back in 2012, defeating Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final in a penalty shootout. The Bantams then beat Premier League side Aston Villa at home 3-1, and winning the tie on aggregate 4-3. Despite losing 5-0 to Swansea in the final, Parkinson received plaudits for the side’s ground breaking cup run, and went on to win promotion from League Two in the same season.
The following season, Parkinson’s men caused more upsets in the FA Cup. They went to Stamford Bridge and no one gave them a chance, especially when they went 2-0 down in the first half! However, Bradford fought back and won the game 4-2, with former Sunderland striker Jon Stead scoring the Bantams’ first goal. Parkinson went on to defeat his future employers Sunderland, thanks to a John O’Shea own goal and another strike from SAFC flop Stead.
After Bradford, Parkinson joined Bolton in 2016. He led the club to the top of the table, unbeaten in the first month of the season and winning League One’s Manager of the Month. Bolton sealed automatic promotion in Parkinson’s first season with the club, despite Bolton being under a transfer embargo. These financial difficulties continued in the Championship, and it was a huge achievement when Parkinson survived relegation, whereas Sunderland were of course relegated in the same campaign.
When Parkinson arrived on Wearside in October 2019, he took over from Jack Ross but got off to a losing start away at Wycombe. He was clearly nobody’s first choice to be manager, and joined the club to a feeling of apathy.
The new gaffer said: “It is both a privilege and immense responsibility to be appointed manager of this great club. I’ve been in football a long time now, and Sunderland’s immense history, the passion of its fanbase and its wonderful facilities are legendary within the game. It’s now up to me to build on the work of my predecessor and deliver the success the fans are so desperate for. This is a good squad of players, and I relish the challenge of working with them to achieve our goal of promotion from League One.”
Stewart Donald said: “Phil has a proven track record when it comes to achieving promotion and I’m delighted to welcome him to Sunderland. During a rigorous recruitment process, it gradually became clear that he was the prime candidate to take the club forward. His CV put him on our short list. His references from within the game set him apart. I hope that Sunderland fans will all join me in welcoming him to our historic club, as we look forward to an exciting few months.”
However, things quickly turned around as he marked his first home game with a resounding 5-0 win over Tranmere.
One of Parkinson’s most notable things from his time at Sunderland was his bust-up with Aiden McGeady. Parkinson famously dropped the tricky winger due to his supposed negative impact on the squad. McGeady was made to train with the reserves, before joining Charlton on loan.
The manager seemed stuck in his ways, and was unable to adapt his playing style to suit the squad he had, persisting with a mind-numbing 5 at the back system that simply wasn’t working. His substitutions were far too ponderous, and the signing of Danny Graham raised a number of questions alone.
The club finished eighth in League One, with Parkinson taking the side from pushing for automatic promotion under Ross to missing out of the play-offs altogether. He was eventually relieved of his duties in November 2020, with many suggesting that it was far too late.
Parkinson is now managing non-league side Wrexham, who have been bankrolled by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, and are currently pushing for promotion.
