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...
13. GRAHAM POTTER - 25/1
Would quite clearly be the exceptional candidate were he interested, but almost impossible to see him stepping down to the Championship given the reluctance he has shown to jump back into the game since leaving Chelsea. Will definitely have top-tier offers this summer and probably at an elite level. Finding someone who can go on his journey in the game is Sunderland’s task and goal. Rumour rated: 5/10 | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
14. ALEX NEIL - 25/1
Neil rose unexpectedly high in the list earlier this year when it was reported that he was keen on returning to the role he infamously left for Stoke City. Neil has not addressed those claims since but did speak at length about his decision to leave, questioning the club’s recruitment strategy and expressing his disappointment about what he felt was the club’s ambivalence to securing his long-term future after promotion from League One. All of which begs the question - has all that much changed since he left? Sunderland if anything have doubled down on their policy and Neil’s views clearly have not altered. Unlikely, then - even if his first stint was undeniably successful and the team he left behind looked in good working order. Odds are drifting quickly. Rumour rated: 6/10 | Getty Images Photo: Frank Reid
15. ROY KEANE - 22/1
Destined seemingly to be linked with the role every time it becomes available. Keane’s love for the club has not changed but it’s a very different role to the one he nearly landed when Neil eventually took it, at which point his backers in the club (some of whom have since left) hierarchy felt a short, sharp shock was needed across the club. Keane loves his punditry work and you’d sense it would take a lot to tempt him away from it - a contract and a responsibility Sunderland are unlikely to offer their head coach. It’s a very different job to that of spring 2022, and that probably rules him out of the reckoning. Rumour rated: 5/10 | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
16. SCOTT PARKER - 20/1
Odds have drifted. Has two Championship promotions to his CV and done so with a good style of football, albeit at two teams benefiting from parachute payments. Would be a surprise but his CV will no doubt have been of note. Rumour rated: 5.5/10 | Getty Images Photo: Gualter Fatia