Danny Cowley confirms interest in Sunderland manager job - 'A huge football club with a wonderful history'

Speaking to the Southend Echo, Cowley - when asked if he’d be keen to take charge – said “Sure. Sunderland are a huge football club with a wonderful history. For whatever reason they find themselves in League One but we will just have to wait and see.”

Cowley has been out of work since leaving Championship club Huddersfield Town in July.

He added: "We love football and of course we miss football.

“We’re some enjoying some time off and it’s been a really good opportunity for us to go away and study.

“We’re continuing to try and improve and we’re working on our pro licence at the moment.

“We’re trying to make the most of this time.”

Sunderland are looking for a new manager after Phil Parkinson was sacked.

Gus Poyet was quickly installed as the early favourite when Phil Parkinson was sacked on Sunday afternoon and it is known Poyet would be keen on a return to Sunderland one day.

Other names in the frame include Paul Cook, Cowley, Nigel Pearson, with Lee Johnson and Daniel Stendel also high up in the betting.

Poyet, who left Sunderland in 2015, has previously said he’d be open to a return one day.

In recent weeks – prior to Parkinson’s dismissal - he told the ‘Speaking Sunderland’ podcast: “Could I return? Yes, of course,” said Poyet.

Danny Cowley profile:

Cowley is one of football’s grassroots coaching success stories having started his career with Concord Rangers in the Essex Senior Football League.

Since then, the 42-year-old former semi-professional midfielder has worked his way up the football pyramid, enjoying a stint at Braintree Town before making a name for himself at Lincoln City.

In his first season in charge, he oversaw the club's promotion back to the Football League.

In the same season, Lincoln also became the first non-league club to reach the quarter-final of the FA Cup in over a century, knocking out Championship sides Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, followed by Premier League side Burnley.

Cowley – alongside his brother and assistant manager Nicky – guided the club EFL Trophy final against Shrewsbury Town at Wembley Stadium which they won 1-0.

Cowley also took Lincoln up as League One champions, returning the club to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1999.

Following their success, the pair were hired by Championship club Huddersfield Town but was sacked two days after avoiding relegation to the third tier.

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