Manchester City: Peter Reid in management return?

I am sure a lot of younger Manchester City fans will not understand quite why Simon Graysons firing at Sunderland has me writing a piece for Man City Square. Usually it wouldn’t, and I don’t tend to focus on sides outside our beloved blues, unless they are upcoming opponents of course.

But, it’s only seven days shy of being the 27th anniversary of Peter Reid becoming our manager. Now, all these years later and unfinished business at the Black Cats, we are seeing the 61 year olds name mentioned again.

Leaving Sunderland business for Sunderland sites, I would like to write a little about his time with us. Highlighting what he brought to our table. Howard Kendall signed Reid as a player in 1990 and made his debut away to Everton. Funnily enough, both Kendall and Reid had ties with Everton, a side Kendall would actually return to, leaving Reid to take the City management reigns.

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In 1990, when Reid took control of City, we were far from the side we are now. Coming out of the 1980’s we had spent four seasons of the previous decade outside the top flight. Those seasons in top flight, we’d finish in the bottom half. 1981-82 was our most glorious of the era – we finished 10th.

In Peter Reid’s first season as Manager, we’d end up fifth. More than that though, we were a place, and three points, higher than Manchester United. Back then, for us, that was like a trophy!

The following season was more of the same, fifth position. Although United were ahead of us that time. We also went that season not losing a Manchester derby though, 0-0 at Maine Road and 1-1 at their place.

Unfortunately, for Reid and us, his previous two seasons of relative success went against him for the following season. Finishing ninth in the newly formed Premier League the writing was on the wall, especially given the ruthlessness of our Chairman.

Even getting to the FA Cup Quarter Final wasn’t enough to save Reid’s job. So, when the following season started with three defeats and a draw, no more needed to be said. Reid was out.

In 131 games in charge, Reid enjoyed at 42.75 win percentage. It doesn’t sound fantastic but, the next two seasons saw us back to the bottom half, before finally being relegated. As we were struggling in the third tier of English football, Reid was placed in the Sunderland hot seat.

In fact, the season Alan Ball took us down, Peter Reid took them up. Both sides struggled in their new Divisions and so, when Sunderland were relegated, we were waiting. Not exactly ready though as Reid’s new side did the double over his old side. We were then relegated to the third tier, and they lost out on promotion via a play-off penalty shoot-out.

Next: On This Day: Andy Morrison

At the turn of the new century Peter Reids Sunderland met Manchester City in the Premier League. City won 4-2 at Maine Road, and lost 1-0 at their place. City were, once again relegated in 2001 and Joe Royle fired. A year later, October 2002, Reid was fired form Sunderland.

Now, as a City fan who remembers the small ray of light in the early 1990’s he gave us, I wish him luck.