Vito Mannone is once again enjoying life on Wearside, back as Sunderland's number one goalkeeper, and improving performances have given him plenty to smile about.

However, only last month Mannone was considering quitting the club altogether after a difficult year where he went from, in his own words, "Player of the Season to people not being really nice about me." 

Difficult times 

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, Mannone revealed that he was "nearly leaving" in January after a long spell of playing in Costel Pantilimon's - and then Jordan Pickford's - shadows.

It was a difficult time for him after he had impressed majorly only the season before, where he was always consistent when given his opportunities, but he described last season as the "hardest of [his] career."

Mannone was linked with a return to his homeland amidst a tough time on Wearside. | Photo: Sky Sports
Mannone was linked with a return to his homeland amidst a tough time on Wearside. | Photo: Sky Sports

Manager Sam Allardyce made the decision not to sell Mannone, however, even though he wasn't happy at Sunderland. Instead, Pantilimon was sold to Watford, which showed the faith he has in Mannone.

The Italian 'keeper described these decisions by his boss as a "massive statement" - and it has clearly rejuvenated his love for the club. 

Good relationship

Mannone's relationship with Allardyce proved to be crucial in his decision to stay at the club, he revealed, as he felt that Big Sam "trusted" him to be able to perform at the top level and play his part in helping the club maintain their Premier League status

"I didn't have an easy year with other managers," Mannone continued, insinuating he was finding life at Sunderland tough before Allardyce's arrival.

However, since his appointment on Wearside, the former Newcastle United boss has been, "direct and honest" with the goalkeeper, something that Mannone is "happy" about and he is pleased he made the decision not to leave. 

Now, he is staying focused on keeping the number one spot, with Pickford offering major competition. He plans to "work hard" to keep his starting berth and hopefully return to the form that saw him named Sunderland's Player of the Year - which is what the club needs if they are to survive. 

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About the author
Matthew Wilkinson
Huddersfield University in Sports Journalism. Twitter- MC_Wilkinson1