Sunderland fans have reacted in shock after the Mackems terminated Lee Cattermole’s contract two years early.
Cattermole was understood to be one of Sunderland’s highest-earning players, despite his wages dropping to £40,000-a-week after the Wearside club’s relegation from the Premier League, according to The Sun. And with another season of League One football ahead, the decision looks to be driven, primarily, by finances.
The same newspaper is now reporting that the tenacious midfielder is nearing a reunion with Steve Bruce – the manager who brought him to both Sunderland and Wigan Athletic – at Sheffield Wednesday.
Cattermole applauds fans after Sunderland’s League One play-off final defeat to Charlton (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
And it will be interesting to see whether Cattermole will join the Owls’ pre-season training camp in Portugal.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Bruce suggested to BBC Radio Sheffield on Sunday that a mystery free agent could be on his way out to the Iberian peninsula, but refused to elaborate further.
And if it is to be Cattermole, then those of a Sheffield Wednesday persuasion should feel encouraged by what their Sunderland counterparts have had to say on Twitter.
Big mistake.
— Bill (@bill_hadd50) July 1, 2019
A feel canny gutted like
— newby08 (@newby08) July 1, 2019
Absolutely gutted
— Matty (@MackemMatty) July 1, 2019
Gutted is an understatement
— Cameron (@Camsafc) July 1, 2019
Disgrace
— dave (@DavidHindmarsh7) July 1, 2019
Best midfielder gone fucking brilliant
— Adam Hermiston (@Adamsafc12FTM) July 1, 2019
Was just on too much money unfortunately
— danny (@sunderlanddanny) July 1, 2019
What a man! Not sitting on a contact like the arsehole Rodwell. Good luck Catts and thank you. 100% every time. @LeeCattermole88
— Tony Greenwell 🇬🇧 (@disc0pants) July 1, 2019
Love the bloke. Wore his heart on his sleeve and gave everything he had #SAFC #cattestimonial
— ynotnA 🤦🏼♂️ (@52CAL) July 1, 2019
Genuinely never been so gutted reading a tweet before. Lee Cattermole you’ve been my favourite footballer for 10 years and I’ve got so much love and thanks for you. Fucking feel like crying a bit
— James Tweddell (@Jamestweddell) July 1, 2019
Im more upset about this than my divorce and I’m not even remotely joking
— Jason (@Jasonbrahhhh) July 1, 2019
To think many of us would have given him a piggy back down to Sheffield this time last year.
— Johniec1975 (@johniec1975) July 1, 2019
Like most people, many of the Mackems faithful suspect that Cattermole is Sheffield 6 bound.
Wednesday supporters will love Lee Cattermole and you’d be lucky to have him, the supporters that are slagging him have probably never watched the man play for longer than 5 minutes. It’d be a good fit I think and the Steve Bruce factor will be a big pull in him signing
— James Tweddell (@Jamestweddell) July 1, 2019
Lots of ups and downs but all in all I loved having Lee Barry Cattermole at my Club. One of those players other fans loved to hate. He has been shot to bits for years but there were times in the PL he didn’t look out of place. Good luck at Sheff Wed (Bruce is there…) #SAFC pic.twitter.com/JqFaFeDgjT
— Lord Barrold (@lord_barrold) July 1, 2019
Lee Cattermole leaving #SAFC is the right decision for everyone (sure he’ll end up with Bruce at #SWFC), but also can’t help to feel a little sad about it. Cheers Catts.
— Michael Graham (@Capt_Fishpaste) July 1, 2019
Reckon Cattermole will reunite with Steve Bruce at Sheffield Wednesday #swfc #safc
— Parkersafc (@Parkersafc) July 1, 2019
Probably Sheff wed with Bruce
— Lewis Chapaldi (@WERGHJIGgJ) July 1, 2019
As well as Bruce, Cattermole would also link up with his former Sunderland teammates, Keiren Westwood and Steven Fletcher at Sheffield Wednesday.
