Coach previously linked with Sunderland job holds 'positive talks' with European club

Italian coach Francesco Farioli has reportedly held positive talks with Ajax about becoming the club’s next head coach - a year after being linked with the Sunderland job.

The Black Cats were first said to be interested in Farioli in April last year, when Tony Mowbray was still in charge on Wearside, with established journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeting he was top of Sunderland’s shortlist. Farioli was then named head coach of French club Nice last June, while he’s guided them to fifth in Ligue 1 with three games remaining.

Yet according to Sky Sports Italy reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Farioli is a strong contender to take charge at Ajax, after John van 't Schip was named interim head coach last October. Di Marzio reports the Dutch club have held positive talks with Farioli, who has a year left on his contract at Nice.

Sunderland are also searching for a new head coach for next season after Mike Dodds was named interim boss in February, following Michael Beale’s departure.