This is what Phil Parkinson said about a potential Sunderland takeover

Parkinson discussed the issue at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, following the cancellation of a club meeting with fan groups this week due to an ‘advancement’ in talks.

News subsequently broke in The Guardian that Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus had agreed a deal with Stewart Donald to take a majority shareholding in the club.

Sunderland have not commented on the reports, but The Echo understands that they are accurate.

Parkinson said he had not had any dialogue with a potential new owner or investor, having learned to stay detached over his career as a manager.

He said that by focusing on the pitch, he could give any new owners ‘a strong platform’.

“It's totally genuine when I say that I just put it to one side,” Parkinson said.

“In previous jobs, when you are younger you can get wrapped up in it, and there is enough to think about as a manager during the week anyway.

“Of course we want the future of the club to be as strong as possible.

“If a takeover is needed to do that, then I'm sure that Stewart Donald will make the right decisions.

“Equally, my job is to make sure we're in a strong a League position as possible. That's two-fold.

“One, if there is a takeover then great, it gives the new owners a fantastic platform.

“Two, for when our supporters come back to the Stadium, and that's our mini-focus.”

Clarity on the ownership structure would help the club with its forward planning, after months of uncertainty about its direction at boardroom level.

Key positions at the club remain unfilled, while a number of senior players are in the final year of their contract.

Parkinson has been considering these matters in terms of his personnel, but warned that the January window will be a complicated one regardless of a takeover, due to salary cap rules.

“We discuss January and these things, but there are complications there anyway with or without a takeover, unless the salary cap rules change,” he said.

“We do discuss as a staff what we'd like to add, those discussions go on in an ideal scenario.”

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