Sunderland CEO Jim Rodwell gives update on Academy Manager search and other key positions still vacant

Paul Reid left the role in June, after two challenging years in which U23 results struggled and a number of talented youngsters left to join Premier League academies.

Rodwell was speaking to the Sunderland club podcast, #SAFCUnfiltered, in which he also said a group remains in a period of exclusivity ahead of a possible purchase of the club.

"We are currently in a period of exclusivity,” he said said.

"I think things have gone on longer than anyone would have liked, predominantly due to COVID and the uncertainty caused by COVID.

"The party that we're in exclusivity with have shown us proof of funds - and they're the only people to actually do so….

"They've been uber-professional throughout the period but the simple fact remains - we are in a COVID world. We haven't got fans in the stadium, we haven't got a bailout at the moment and it's making matters very difficult."

The Black Cats CEO says one candidate was offered the academy role after interviews, but were unable to accept.

The club are also currently searching for a new U18s management team, after long-serving coach Paul Bryson left to take up a new challenge in September.

“We interviewed, ran a process,” Rodwell said.

“I offered the job to one individual who, for various reasons, wasn't in a position to accept.

“I just wasn't convinced [about other candidates] and the one thing I'm absolutely not going to do is to employ somebody for the sake of employing somebody.

“It's exactly the same with the U18s positions, although that process we're moving forward with at the moment anyway.

“I always see vacancies as an opportunity, to get the right people in, and you've got to be convinced,” he added.

“It's not just me, the final interview panel for the academy manager vacancy consisted of myself, Phil Parkinson and Angela Lowes.

“We won't appoint anyone until we find the right candidate and we will keep looking.

“The U18s position is ongoing.”

There are other senior positions at the club still vacant, with neither Head of Recruitment Tony Coton or Head of Football Operations Richard Hill replace since they left in July.

Rodwell, of course, fulfills many of Hill’s responsibilities, who had primarily been responsible for financial negotiations with players and other clubs.

Head of Recruitment, however, is a key long-term role.

Rodwell did not discuss that vacany. In early September, Phil Parkinson suggested it would be filled once there was some certainty over when fans could return to grounds.

The club is also without a Chairman, after Stewart Donald decided to stand down from that role in July.

Rodwell says he does not believe that has a significant impact on the running of the club, as Donald retains an obvious influence as the majority shareholder.

“I don't,” he said.

“Stewart is the single biggest shareholder, he's obviously still around and he's still on the board of directors, which runs the club the same way it does in any business.

“We're a really effective bunch, to be honest. We have a really nice blend with David [Jones], Tom [Sloanes], Neil [Fox], myself, Angela [Lowes] and Stewart.”

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