Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWhere do you want to live? Cultured Amsterdam? The beautiful old city of Udine, near Venice? Or Sunderland?We sincerely don't mean that as a slam on the north-east town, either.After all, that's the decision young Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen faced when deciding his next career move back in 1998 - and he picked the move to Wearside.Sorensen told FourFourTwo: "I have my parents to thank for that."I was talking to a few clubs, like Ajax and Udinese, who had a long history of Danish players. You may like You can smell success in the air Peter Reid managed Sunderland to two 7th-place at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats joint-highest finish for 71 year last season has them reaching for the passports for the first time since 1973 How FourFourTwo magazine helped Neil Sullivan earn a Scotland call-up in the 1990s The late Kevin Keegan exclusive, on the upsides and downsides of his spell in Germany "Then this left-field offer came in from Sunderland. I hadnt heard a lot about them and I sort of dismissed it."My mum and dad told me to go over and have a look. I was blown away.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."I knew that this was the right thing for me. I would get an opportunity to play, I loved the feel of the northeast and their passion for football."It was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. "Sorensen does admit that he had to adapt a little bit to Peter Reid's unique management style, however. What to read next "Emerson was phenomenal at Middlesbrough but completely mad. Its no surprise he went AWOL" "I turned down Newcastle relegation clause" How FourFourTwo magazine helped Neil Sullivan earn a Scotland call-up in the 1990s He said: "I had to get used to all the swearing!"He was a great manager. One of the old school. He was probably the last manager I had who would allow the players to go out and have a few drinks."He cherished that camaraderie. He really encouraged the players to spend a lot of time together and that was probably part of our success."He said things as they were. He could be quite tough, but he was fair."TOPICSPeter ReidThomas SrensenAjaxSunderlandSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
