Exclusive:Gus Poyet lauds Sunderland for 'unexpected but amazing' Europa League qualification
Former Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has been reflecting on the club’s European qualification.
Gus Poyet has labelled Sunderland’s qualification for next season’s Europa League as “unexpected but amazing”.
The Black Cats beat Chelsea on the final day of the Premier League campaign to book their place on the continent next term, despite being many onlookers’ favourites to suffer an immediate relegation back to the Championship.
And speaking exclusively to The Echo, courtesy of BetSelect, Poyet was quick to sing the praises of his former club following their remarkable return to the top flight. He said: “I think it's amazing. It's unexpected but amazing. I think it's the connection of the work of the board during the summer in making great decisions about bringing in specific players.
“Also, the decision to hold on to the coach [Le Bris] when they had the bad spell - because they were doing so well that people were dreaming, and if you don't win a few games people want to change straight away - was amazing.”
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Looking ahead to Sunderland’s upcoming European adventure, Poyet added: “I’m so happy for the coach, and delighted for the fans because being in Europe for them, you know, being able to travel... Imagine, they were for so many years travelling to League One and Championship stadiums, and now they're going to be able to travel to Europe. It's going to be a great season, but also a very special summer because you need players that are used to playing in Europe and the league, and to maintaining the level, so it's going to be interesting.”
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