Sunderland’s disappointing Championship campaign is drawing to a close, leaving the hierarchy with a major decision to make as they prepare to appoint a new head coach.
And Sunderland’s search for a new head coach potentially took a significant twist on Thursday after it was announced that Will Still was leaving his role as head coach of Stade de Reims.
The Ligue 1 side announced that Still would be leaving his role in a statement, effective immediately. It is not known whether Still is a contender for Sunderland’s vacancy but he was a prominent figure in the search to replace Tony Mowbray last December. No move progress, partly due to the significant compensation figure that would have been owed to the French club.
Sunderland are looking for a candidate with an elite coaching pedigree who can oversee a promotion push next season, but they must work within the club’s current structure and within the current recruitment strategy. While they will be able to make an appointment of their own to the coaching group, they will be expected to work with Dodds and the rest of the existing coach staff.
So who is in the frame as it stands and what rumours should fans be paying attention too? Here, we take a look through the current bookies’ list to assess who is worth keeping an eye on, and the links which seem unlikely to come to fruition...
5. NEIL WARNOCK - 50/1
Would be entertaining and in fairness his Championship record speaks for itself, but hard to imagine him working seamlessly with Sunderland’s hierarchy and recruitment model. Rumour rated: 2/10 Photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images
6. NEIL LENNON - 50/1
Has been keen on the role in the past, believing his experience of playing and managing Celtic in such a pressurised environment would stand him in good stead. Hasn’t managed since leaving Greek side Omonia in 2022 and hard to see him coming into contention this time around. Rumour rated: 2/10 | AFP via Getty Images
7. OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER - 40/1
Odds have drifted considerably since he was first linked with the job earlier this year. Like many on this list, has a big reputation in the game and so management successes but unlikely to fit the ‘head coach’ mould Sunderland are looking for, and hard to see him working within the current structure. Rumour rated: 4/10 | Getty Images Photo: Matt McNulty
8. SAM ALLARDYCE - 33/1
Still rightly revered for his impact last time around and keeping Sunderland in the Premier League against the odds, but wouldn’t fit the club’s current criteria on style of play or youth development. Big Sam probably wouldn’t be too interested in working under the current structure, either. Rumour rated: 1/10 | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Getty Images