Next Sunderland manager: Every rumour so far rated from Will Still to Danny Rohl and Alex Neil as Kyril Louis-Dreyfus weighs up major decision
Sunderland are searching for their next head coach following Michael Beale's departure in February, with Mike Dodds handed the job on an interim basis until the end of the season.
By Phil Smith
Published 26th Mar 2024, 09:52 BST
Dodds confirmed before the international break that the club had shortlisted a number of candidates, and would make a swift appointment if the right candidate was available to take charge immediately. However, he underlined that the club are determined not to rush into a decision and to take their time to conduct the most thorough process they possibly can. As such, the strong expectation at this stage is that he will continue to take charge right through to the end of the season.
But who could then take the reins ahead of a crucial summer rebuild? We’ve taken a look at the early frontrunners with the bookmakers to see what that appointment might look like.
We take a closer look to try and find some answers. Odds courtesy of gambling.com
We take a closer look to try and find some answers. Odds courtesy of gambling.com
5. ALEX NEIL - 7/1
Neil rose up the list after it was reported that he was open to returning to the club following his departure from Stoke City, though his odds are now drifting. It's hard to see it happening, mainly because all of the factors that led to his initial departure still stand. Sunderland's structure and strategy remain firmly in place and though all parties patched things up subsequently to remain on decent terms, would the club entertain a return after such a high-profile exit for a divisional rival? Neil proved his calibre first time around and his subsequent challenges at Stoke may have softened some of his views on Sunderland's operation, but it would be a truly sensational turn of events for him to return. His recent media comments suggests he still has some reservations about how Sunderland operate and underlined the challenges all parties would face in making it work - and that's without even considering fan sentiment.Rumour rated: 6.5/10 Photo: Frank Reid
Lampard does have a track record of investing in young players and performed well to reach the play-off final with Derby County, and so would make more sense than some of the other high-profile names on this list. Whether he would happy working within Sunderland's structure and whether Sunderland would see him as the elite 'coach' they want, is another question entirely. You suspect not on both fronts. Rumour rated: 4/10 Photo: Warren Little
Parker has two promotions from the Championship on his CV, which makes him a credible contender even if the budget of both clubs were very much at the top end of the division. After a disappointing spell at Club Brugge, he would surely be open to a second-tier job at a club of this stature. Rumour rated: 6/10 Photo: Gualter Fatia
Cooper is clearly a standout candidate, having led Swansea City to an unlikely play-off final and Nottingham Forest to a remarkable promotion following a dismal start to the campaign. Given his consistent track record of finding a way to get results and his history of working with young players, it's impossible to imagine he hasn't emerged on Sunderland's radar - especially as he so outperformed his budget in South Wales.The question marks really are whether Cooper himself will wait for a Premier League job and whether given their budget and way of operating, Sunderland could put together a proposal of real interest to him. There were also criticism of his style of play at Swansea, though a coach of his calibre would surely be able to mould a team of such talent. All in all it feels unlikely, bit mainly because Cooper's stock is so high. Rumour rated: 7/10 Photo: OLI SCARFF