Next Sunderland manager: Every rumour so far rated from Will Still to Danny Rohl and Alex Neil as Kyril Louis-Dreyfus weighs up major decision
By Phil Smith
Published 26th Mar 2024, 09:52 BST
Sunderland are searching for their next head coach following Michael Beale's departure in February, with Mike Dodds handed the job on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Dodds confirmed before the international break that the club had shortlisted a number of candidates, and would make a swift appointment if the right candidate was available to take charge immediately. However, he underlined that the club are determined not to rush into a decision and to take their time to conduct the most thorough process they possibly can. As such, the strong expectation at this stage is that he will continue to take charge right through to the end of the season.
But who could then take the reins ahead of a crucial summer rebuild? We’ve taken a look at the early frontrunners with the bookmakers to see what that appointment might look like.
We take a closer look to try and find some answers. Odds courtesy of gambling.com
We take a closer look to try and find some answers. Odds courtesy of gambling.com
9. OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER - 4/1
Solskjaer has flown up the list after reportedly indicating his interest in the role. His spell at Manchester United has aged relatively well given their persistent struggles either side of his tenure, but he was well supported by two coaches in Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick who have gone on to show their pedigree elsewhere. Another where you have to wonder whether Sunderland's structure and strategy would suit his strengths, or entice him to drop down to the second tier. Rumour rated: 5/10 Photo: Matt McNulty
Keane certainly had his backers following Lee Johnson's departure but ultimately wasn't happy with the terms on offer, with Sunderland at that time looking for a short-term impact. He has made it clear it would take an excellent offer to leave a thriving punditry career and it it's questionable whether that would come from Sunderland. It also remains very difficult to imagine him working under a sporting director and having spent so long away from the training ground, does he fit the bill for Sunderland in terms of their desire for a coach? Keane was exceptional first time around and still surely has so much to offer the game, but this unfortunately feels like a non-starter for everyone in the current circumstances.Rumour rated: 4.5/10 Photo: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista
Still will surely come into the conversation, having been high in Sunderland's thinking following Tony Mowbray's departure in December. Still still represents the exact profile of candidate Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is looking for, an up-and-coming head coach who can implement a 'high-performance culture' at the Academy of Light. Still has made clear that he is open to a Championship move, but the question is whether the compensation issues that prevented his arrival in the winter will be any more surmountable in the summer. If not Still, then expect a similar profile of candidate to take the job. Rumour rated: 9/10 Photo: FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI
While there are definitely some credible candidates in the bookies' list, it probably leans too much towards big names given what we know Sunderland are looking for in their next head coach. While their search will undoubtedly be looking at some of those already mentioned, they will almost certainly be looking both abroad and domestically for young head coaches overperforming and implementing a clear style of play. They will almost certainly also be looking at those looking to step up from assistant or first-team coaching roles at top clubs, something that has worked in the past for Championship outfits. As such, there'll be plenty of names on the radar who have not yet been discussed in the public domain.After the disappointment of the Michael Beale tenure and the way the campaign has ebbed away, supporters are keen to see an ambitious appointment but more to the point, one that clearly fits in with the vision that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman have set out. Photo: FRANK REID 2020