Neil was replaced by Tony Mowbray at the Stadium of Light, with the Black Cats sitting ninth in the Championship table after 34 league games.
Ironically Neil’s last game as Sunderland head came against Stoke in August, as Ross Stewart’s goal gave the visitors a 1-0 win at the bet365 Stadium.
Here’s the side which started for Sunderland that day and where they are now:
Here’s the side which started for Sunderland that day and where they are now:
![The 22-year-old scored seven goals in 17 appearances for Sunderland before he was surprisingly recalled by Everton at the start of January. Since returning to Goodison Park, Simms has made four brief appearances off the bench and just one start in the Merseyside Derby at Liverpool.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmYzZjRkMjZiLTJlMjAtNDM3Yi1hMjkwLTBhZTU3YjZlZDAyOToxZjU4NmM4Zi0wYjdmLTRkNjctOTE1Mi01Zjg1YTYyMzEzZTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. ST: Ellis Simms
The 22-year-old scored seven goals in 17 appearances for Sunderland before he was surprisingly recalled by Everton at the start of January. Since returning to Goodison Park, Simms has made four brief appearances off the bench and just one start in the Merseyside Derby at Liverpool. Photo: Frank Reid
![Despite playing a key part in Sunderland’s promotion from League One, the centre-back made just six Championship starts this season and was loaned out to Rotherham in January.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmVkNzkzYmQwLWIyYjUtNDMwYi1iOWFjLTFmNzFlYjc3MzUwODpmY2I1ZDg5NS1iZmJmLTQ0MDktYTQwMi0wZmQ0Y2E0NTdkMjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. SUB: Bailey Wright
Despite playing a key part in Sunderland’s promotion from League One, the centre-back made just six Championship starts this season and was loaned out to Rotherham in January. Photo: Frank Reid
![A minor injury setback meant Evans came off the bench against Stoke back in August. The 32-year-old remained a key player under Mowbray, yet his season has been cut short due to an ACL injury he suffered in January.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ5YTA0ZDgzLTNkNGQtNDQ1NC04NDVjLTkzNTQ1ODA5OWVjODo0OTczMjIwMC05NDNhLTRjNDYtOGUyNi00NDE0NzQ2MDNjNjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. SUB: Corry Evans
A minor injury setback meant Evans came off the bench against Stoke back in August. The 32-year-old remained a key player under Mowbray, yet his season has been cut short due to an ACL injury he suffered in January. Photo: Stu Forster
![It took a while for the defender to get his chance at Sunderland, while he came off the bench for 10 minutes in this match at Stoke. Hume has taken his opportunities in recent months, though, becoming the side’s regular right-back](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjZmMTg4YjNjLTM1ZWYtNGNhYy04YzJjLTk4YWM5OWEzZjQ2YTo0ZDgwYzMxNy1iNjUwLTQzZDQtOWFhNS04MzA5OGQxNDM2MGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. SUB: Trai Hume
It took a while for the defender to get his chance at Sunderland, while he came off the bench for 10 minutes in this match at Stoke. Hume has taken his opportunities in recent months, though, becoming the side’s regular right-back Photo: Frank Reid