Alex Neil gives interesting response to questions on his plans for Sunderland this summer

Alex Neil says that while he has not discussed his plans for next season with the Sunderland hierarchy he has 'absolute clarity' on what he would need to take the team forward.
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Neil was appointed on a rolling contract in February and has resisted any discussion of the future, insisting that he is focusing only on the next game.

That is truer now than ever as Sunderland enter the final week of the regular League One season with their play-off hopes still firmly in the balance.

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But equally important is that the Black Cats are prepared however this current season ends, with a shorter gap to next season as a result of the Qatar World Cup being played in winter.

Sunderland boss Alex NeilSunderland boss Alex Neil
Sunderland boss Alex Neil

Neil says planning is being done behind the scenes at the club, likely led by Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman, and that discussions to 'resolve' any issues will take place whenever the current campaign ends.

"I'd imagine there's planning being done by other people," Neil said.

"But to be quite honest I've got no focus on any of that at the moment, because I don't want to plan anything beyond trying to get into the play-offs and then going to try and win the play-offs.

"If we get there, then let's see how we get on.

"I'm not looking any further than that.

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"Naturally, there are things that are going to need resolving but they'll either need resolving in just over a week's time, or hopefully in just over a month's time.

"We'll just have to wait and see. We have people at the club whose job is to focus on what's happening next year, what's happening in the next window.

"My job is really straightforward, win the next game, try and win the next game after that, and then the one after that," he added.

"What I do have is complete clarity on where I think the team needs to go, what it requires, who we would like to retain and who we potentially might not retain.

"All that type of stuff, I could sit and write down for you just now.

"But I just don't think this is the time for that."

The next EFL campaign will begin on July 30th.