Sunderland boss Gus Poyet delighted Lee Cattermole stayed at club
Gus Poyet believes keeping Lee Cattermole was the best transfer decision he has made during his time as Sunderland manager.
Cattermole looked set to leave Sunderland in January after Poyet drafted in Liam Bridcutt from Brighton and Stoke made a move for the midfielder.
Poyet discussed the offer with owner Ellis Short but decided to retain the 26-year-old's services, a move he looks back on with great delight.
He told the Sunderland Echo: "In transfer windows, it's the best decision I have made, I've got no doubt about that. I'm sure, with all respect to Stoke and to Catts, he's happier here.
"His reaction to the decision was spectacular, because - and I'm not talking about Lee here - let's say we get an offer from a top-six team for a player and the offer is good, but it is possible for you to say, 'No'.
"Then you don't know what the reaction of the player will be after he has lost the chance to join a certain team.
"With everything that happened with Catts before we got here and the momentum of the team at that time in January, it was difficult, and with Liam coming in, he might have wondered how he fitted into the plan. That's only natural.
"But I spoke to the owner and he said if I did not want to sell, then I didn't have to. I made the decision and it has worked out well for everybody, I think."