Former Preston goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould could be set for a reunion with Alex Neil as the Sunderland boss plots a move to join forces again.
That’s according to The Sun (13/03, p60) who claim that Sunderland manager Neil wants to work with Gould again.
Neil brought Gould to Preston back in August 2019, securing his as an experienced goalkeeping coach to work alongside Jack Cudworth.
Previously with West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough, Gould certainly helped Declan Rudd in the pandemic-hit season before heading back to New Zealand.
Rudd praised Gould as ‘first class’ and credited him with helping find more consistent form as Rudd showed great improvement in the 2019-20 campaign.
Neil recently returned to management almost a year on from leaving Preston, taking the Sunderland job.
With three wins in the last four games, Neil is getting Sunderland moving but still wants to bolster his coaching staff.
Having already secured his former Hamilton Academical pal Martin Canning as his assistant at Sunderland, it now looks like Neil is seeking another reunion, this time with Gould.
It’s understood that Neil is hoping to pull off a reunion with Gould, whether that comes now or at the ned of the season.
Gould, 53, is a well-respected coach and certainly knows the North East having been working alongside Tony Pulis at Middlesbrough.
Gould’s exit was a blow for Preston even if Mike Pollitt was a fine replacement, and it’s clear that Neil valued his work highly.
A Preston ace in his playing days having joined from Celtic in 2003, Gould has a strong relationship with North End and many will wish him all the best if he does make the move to Sunderland.