'Thought we'd re-signed Jack Rodwell': Sunderland fans react to new CEO appointment

Rodwell will arrive at the Stadium of Light after spending five years as the CEO at League Two club Scunthorpe, while he’s also served on the EFL Board of Directors and the FA Council.

The reaction to the news was mixed, with some Black Cats supporters claiming a new CEO was needed.

Others were uninspired by the appointment, while many joked about Rodwell’s surname following Jack Rodwell’s disastrous spell at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have said the appointment does not mean the club is no longer for sale.

Here’s how some fans reacted to the news on Twitter:

@safc_crazy: Thought we'd re-signed Jack Rodwell for a second there!

@stubbsm: From mighty Scunthorpe. Another uninspiring signing by SD and SAFC. He's slowly turned us into a big standard League one club. Sad times. Let's hope it's temporary until a sale goes through or default in payments let FPP in.

@davis0688: We need a CEO and have done for a while. Seems to have the experience. But as others have found out there’s a huge difference running this club than there is running other League 1 and 2 clubs. Give him a chance, see what happens. Suggests no sale is imminent as expected

@MikeyParkin: Very strange appointment. Wouldn't have thought it's something that would happen if there was even a hint that a takeover was happening. Nor would it happen if SD was planning on doing the day to day running of the club.

@RobHSafc: In all seriousness I know nothing about him, but a CEO was badly needed, hope he's not a Bain type figure.

@RejectedBook: At least it isn’t Jack

@JonathanPlace1: The club has been desperately short staffed at this level since TD and MM left. But surely this is a sign that Donald and co have no intention of leaving in the near future

@paulthomase: It's clear this isn't being sold anytime soon. Donald is just pacifying supporters.

@DanHull22: Nobody with that surname should ever be allowed to work at the club