Aiden McGeady reveals what Sunderland players thought of Charlie Methven after EFL takeover | OneFootball

Aiden McGeady has opened up how the Sunderland dressing room felt about Charlie Methven

Aiden McGeady has branded former Sunderland and Charlton Athletic executive Charlie Methven as an idiot.

The winger was a member of the Black Cats’ squad from 2017 to 2022, and was with the club during their relegation to League One.

The former Ireland international made 127 league appearances for the Wearside outfit across five campaigns, including 35 in the Championship.

He was a part of the squad that earned promotion back to the second tier in 2022 under Alex Neil.

McGeady left the Stadium of Light following their promotion, signing for Hibernian and then Ayr United, before calling it a day on his playing career in 2024.

The winger also earned 93 caps as an Ireland international, competing at Euro 2012 and 2016.

Aiden McGeady hits out at Charlie Methven

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McGeady has branded Methven as an idiot for his work during his time as a key executive behind the scenes at Sunderland.

Not only that, but he’s claimed that it was a feeling shared across the dressing room, with the 50-year-old earning a negative reputation from his portrayal on the Netflix series Sunderland ‘Til I Die.

“Every player at Sunderland thought Charlie Methven was an idiot,” said McGeady, via journalist James Copley on X.

Methven was an integral part of Sunderland’s takeover in May 2018, as he arranged for Stewart Donald and Juan Sartori to purchase the club from Ellis Short.

As a result of the deal, the executive was also awarded a six per cent stake in the Wearside outfit, as well as a role as its Executive Director.

His spell in the role was met with a series of controversies, as he clashed with supporters on a regular basis amid the team's continued poor form.

Sunderland were in the Premier League in 2016/17, but suffered back-to-back relegations by the time the takeover had been completed.

Methven later turned up at Charlton in 2023, where he was the CEO until he stepped down in 2025.

How Sunderland fans reacted to Aiden McGeady’s Charlie Methven claim

Sunderland fans have responded to McGeady’s comments, suggesting that it wasn’t just the players that thought poorly of Methven.

The supporters have claimed that every fan of the club thought that Methven was an idiot as well.

Meanwhile, some fans are surprised that McGeady wasn’t stronger in his comments about the executive.

Some fans have called the 50-year-old a thief and a con man, and that he shouldn’t be allowed have a role at a club in the EFL again in the future.

Methven was criticised for his comments about people from the north during his time at Sunderland.

Sunderland have since earned their way back to the Premier League, where they have earned qualification for the Europa League for the season ahead.

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Charlie Methven will never live down Sunderland stint

Fans of Sunderland will never let Methven forget what they think of him for his time in running their club.

While his time at Charlton wasn’t such a mess, his reputation has taken a hit that may never recover, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he didn’t work in the EFL again.

Sunderland reached a rock bottom during this period, and have since gone back on an incredible rise to European football.

But even still, fans remember just how much they dislike him, and McGeady’s comments have sparked quite the reaction.