Sunderland fans fear club is becoming a '˜laughing stock' as manager search continues

The club’s search for a new manager has almost entered its fourth week following the resignation of David Moyes, with the start of the new Championship season just eight weeks away.

Fans were left stunned and disappointed after Scot McInnes revealed he was going to stay at Pittodrie.

Admitting he held talks with SAFC chiefs, former West Bromwich Albion midfielder McInnes said “there is so much still to be done” at the Scottish Premier League team.

Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain has said the club will now continue with its recruitment process for the role.

George Forster, of Sunderland Supporters’ Association, said today he fears for the future of his team unless someone is installed as boss quickly.

“We are becoming the laughing stock of football,” said George.

“The fans are upset at what’s going on and so am I.

“I don’t mind criticising the club because it’s been mismanaged for years and we haven’t had much football experience on the board.

“If things aren’t sorted before the start of the new season then things will be much harder.”

When asked who he would like to see get the job, George added: “An idea could be to get Kevin Ball in for a time and I know Simon Grayson at Preston is in the frame.

“Nigel Pearson could be a good option after what he did at Leicester in getting them safe a few seasons ago.”

Joint editor at fanzine A Love Supreme Paul Dobson has predicted a difficult campaign for his team unless a new manager is appointed within the next week.

“As fans we’re probably not as surprised as we should be because we’re getting used to everything going wrong that can go wrong,” said Paul.

“Some people said Derek McInnes hasn’t done much at Aberdeen but he’s practically won that league because no-one can compete with Celtic, he’s won them a cup and got to another cup final.

“Maybe we could’ve asked Aberdeen a fortnight ago when we contacted them about whether he’d want to come and we wouldn’t have wasted time.

“We’re in a Catch 22 situation financially as we’ve just sold Jordan Pickford for £30million but it seems as if whoever comes in won’t have a lot to spend.

“But you look at the players who have left as well as some who might leave and we don’t have a proper striker at the minute.

“It looks like being a difficult season ahead.

“If you prepare well like our friends up the road did then you can hit the ground running but at the minute you can’t see us doing that.”

On who he’d like to see in the managerial hotseat, Paul replied: “Simon Grayson isn’t a bad manager but some of the names like Neil Warnock and Nigel Pearson frighten me.”

Fixtures for the new Championship season will be released on Wednesday morning.