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.
The club decided not to immediately appoint a successor to Michael Beale, instead giving them time to reflect on what had been a bruising period and run an extensive process in the hope of producing a better outcome for next season. Mike Dodds has overseen the final fixtures of the campaign as interim boss but amid a number of injuries to key players he has been unable to spark a turnaround and is now almost certain to return to his previous role.
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