Andrea Dossena has opened up on his difficult spell at Sunderland, describing a “toxic” environment during his time at the club and admitting the move played a major role in the decline of his career.
The former Italy international joined Sunderland AFC in 2013 after a successful period with Napoli, where he had helped the club return to the Champions League and win the Coppa Italia.
But his experience in England turned out very differently.
Andrea Dossena describes difficult Sunderland dressing room
In a recent interview with Calciomercato, Dossena reflected on his short spell at Sunderland and highlighted serious issues within the squad at the time.
His comments paint a troubling picture of the dressing room culture.
“My goodness. Some players would arrive at training still smelling of alcohol from the night before.” — Andrea Dossena
That claim underlines the lack of professionalism he felt existed within the squad.
Dossena also admitted he struggled to build a relationship with then-manager Gus Poyet, which further complicated his time at the club.
Managerial instability impacted Sunderland squad
Dossena’s arrival came during a period of instability. Paolo Di Canio was initially in charge, but his tenure ended abruptly following internal disputes.
That left the squad adjusting to a new manager mid-season. According to Dossena, the transition disrupted routines and affected preparation.
He also criticised certain aspects of Poyet’s approach, suggesting players were not given enough opportunities to analyse performances and improve tactically.
From Sunderland’s broader history during that period, frequent managerial changes were a recurring issue.
Limited opportunities defined Dossena’s Sunderland spell
On the pitch, Dossena struggled to make an impact.
He made just seven Premier League appearances, alongside a handful of FA Cup outings.
At one stage, he was even used in the club’s under-21 setup — a clear sign he had fallen out of first-team contention.
| Stat (2013/14) | Andrea Dossena |
|---|---|
| Premier League appearances | 7 |
| FA Cup appearances | 3 |
| Total season | Limited role |
source: historical match data
Those numbers highlight how marginal his role became.
Having arrived with strong experience, the lack of minutes reflected both team struggles and his own adaptation difficulties.
Sunderland spell marked turning point in career
Dossena’s move to Sunderland came at a critical stage. After previously playing for clubs like Napoli and Liverpool FC, expectations were higher.
Instead, the experience marked the beginning of a sharp decline.
Following his exit, he struggled to regain momentum, including a brief spell at Leyton Orient where he again found limited opportunities.
Looking back, Dossena appears to view Sunderland as a missed opportunity rather than a stepping stone.
Key insights
- Andrea Dossena has criticised the environment at Sunderland
- He described players arriving at training “smelling of alcohol”
- The defender struggled for game time during his spell
- Managerial instability affected the squad during that period
- His Sunderland move coincided with a decline in his career
What’s next?
Dossena is now reflecting on his career after retirement, offering insight into moments that shaped his journey.
His comments add to the historical narrative of Sunderland’s struggles during that era.
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