Plane Carrying Sunderland Squad Make Emergency Landing

 

David Moyes' reign as Sunderland manager has got off to a bumpy start after the plane carrying the first-team squad to Switzerland had to make an emergency landing in Manchester on Sunday. A technical fault with one of the engines saw the aircraft, flying from Newcastle to Geneva, make an unscheduled stop at Manchester Airport. 

Moyes and the first-team squad departed the faulty aircraft before boarding a new plane to continue their journey to Switzerland.  The 53years old, who had been out of work since being sacked by Real Sociedad in November, was appointed Sam Allardyce's successor on Saturday morning, signing a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light. 

Moyes was in the stands to see his new team defeat Sky Bet Championship side Rotherham 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The former Everton and Manchester United manager received a warm welcome from the travelling Sunderland supporters in south Yorkshire and he showed his appreciation to them on the pitch at full-time. 

Moyes will be able to take an even closer look at his squad during their pre-season tour of Switzerland and France, with matches scheduled against Stade Nyonnais, Dijon and Montpellier.