Charlton winger Aiden McGeady breaks silence and lifts the lid on the real reason behind his Sunderland exit

Aiden McGeady has lifted the lid on his Sunderland exit and insists it was nothing more than not seeing eye-to-eye with manager Phil Parkinson.
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McGeady, who still has 18-months to run on his Sunderland contract, was told in mid-December that he had no future on Wearside under Parkinson.

The winger joined Championship side Charlton Athletic, who beat Sunderland in last season’s play-off final, on loan on deadline day.

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McGeady insists it wasn’t anything personal or a fallout between himself and Parkinson and said the reason behind his exit was nothing more than a disagreement.

Sunderland winger Aiden McGeady.Sunderland winger Aiden McGeady.
Sunderland winger Aiden McGeady.

Speaking exclusively to the South London Press, last year’s player of the year McGeady said: “There was nothing more or nothing less than me and the manager not seeing eye to eye.

“He felt it better that I train away from the group, for whatever reason.

“I didn’t do anything which saw me be fined, disciplined, sacked or banned from the training ground – just me and the manager had a disagreement. I was told to follow the schedule of the U23s from that point on.

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“These things happen in football and you have to get on with it. It wasn’t anything personal or a fallout between myself and him.

“It’s nothing more than the manager felt he was better without me and that he didn’t need me. We didn’t see eye to eye.”

Speaking in mid-December after the decision was taken, Parkinson said: “We have spoken to Aidy about January and moving on, I feel it is fair to him to tell him now to sort something out.

“It gives me the opportunity to concentrate on the team moving forward.

“I feel it is the best thing for the team moving forward.”

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Parkinson added: “It is not one particular incident, It is a decision I have made

“I wanted to tell Aidy and his agent early enough so we can put plans in place for January as well.

“It is a big decision, not one we have taken lightly, I have given things a lot of thought and I am confident it is the right thing for the club.”