Sunderland AFC and the Rooney Rule: Explaining the EFL rule change that will affect the big managerial decision

The Black Cats are in the midst of the hunt to replace Phil Parkinson, who departed the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

And as per a new rule, which was introduced for the 2019/20 season, Sunderland will have to interview at least one black, Asian or ethnic minority candidate during the process – providing that one BAME candidate has applied for the role.

The so-called ‘Rooney Rule’ mirrors a similar rule in the NFL, and has been employed by EFL clubs since the start of last season.

Prior to the 2019/20 campaign, clubs had entered an 18-month trial basis where they were encouraged to interview at least one BAME candidate on a voluntary basis when hiring for first-team positions.

And at the League AGM in Portugal last June, clubs voted to introduce the rule on a permanent basis.

An EFL statement read: "The EFL has today made a further commitment to improving equality in first-team football by introducing a recruitment code into regulation in order to help address the under-representation of BAME managers."

And that means Sunderland will now interview at least one BAME manager during their recruitment process.

Gus Poyet remains the favourite for the Black Cats’ hotseat, while Paul Cook, Nigel Pearson and Danny Cowley also feature high in the betting.

The Black Cats could hold interviews with candidates as early as this week.

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