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...
9. FRANK LAMPARD - 33/1
Probably a better bet than some of the big-name former players on the list in that he does have some track record in youth development across his previous stints in the dugout. Very much an outside bet, all the same. Rumour rated: 5/10 | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. STEVE BRUCE - 28/1
Would not be a popular appointment, it would be fair to say. And not one you could see Sunderland pursuing anyway. Rumour rated: 1/10 | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
11. STEVEN GERRARD - 25/1
A title winner at Rangers but has struggled since and is very much seen as a ‘manager’ rather than an on-the-grass coach, with Michael Beale developing his reputation as the latter during their time together. As such, not one you could see happening - particularly given Gerrard’s currently lucrative role in Saudi Arabia. Rumour rated: 2/10 | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
12. STEPHEN ROBINSON - 25/1
Has had some success in Scotland but struggled in his only roles in English football, albeit with a tricky task at Morecambe in particular. Very unlikely. Rumour rated: 1/10 | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images