Alex Neil suffered defeat as Sunderland boss on Saturday afternoon – and it was recently-released Preston striker Connor Wickham who dealt the killer blow.
Former North End boss Neil is back in management having taken on the difficult job of being Sunderland manager.
Simon Grayson, Chris Coleman, Jack Ross, Phil Parkinson and Lee Johnson have all had a go in recent years without achieving much success.
The hope now is that Neil can get Sunderland back on track, but it’s clear that this will be a long-term project.
On Saturday, Neil’s side took on Milton Keynes Dons at the Stadium of Light.
Mo Eisa put the visitors ahead before Ross Stewart levelled it up for Sunderland, but there was a twist in the tale.
Substitute Connor Wickham – released by Preston in January and formerly of Sunderland – popped up to score the winner for the Dons.
Wickham joined Preston back in September after a successful trial, and his debut was a promising cameo against West Bromwich Albion.
Wickham then started against Cheltenham Town just days later, only for an early injury to cut his full debut short.
North End fans never saw Wickham in a Preston shirt again, as he was released when his short-term deal ended in January.
MK Dons took a chance on Wickham, and he showed his quality in front of goal with the winner against Neil’s Sunderland side.
Wickham could have added another in an almost carbon copy of his winner but dragged his shot wide of the target.
After seeing Wickham’s Preston career end in such a sad way, it’s great to see him get off to a great start with MK Dons – and we can only hope that Neil turns things around at Sunderland too.