Sunderland parted ways with manager Chris Coleman on Sunday, following a dismal season in the Championship which sees them sit bottom of the table, already relegated, seven points from safety. They’ve been terrible on the pitch for many years. They didn’t win a game at home in 2017 until December, when they won 1-0 against Fulham, almost twelve months since their last win. In fact, for the whole of 2017, they were ahead in a game at home for just 20 minutes.
Their on-field performances have been terrible, but off the field sees just as much turmoil. Owner Ellis Short has been looking to sell the club for a number of years, and finally looks to have done so, while £70,000-a-week midfielder Jack Rodwell has gone MIA.
Despite all that, home attendance numbers still suggest they’re heavily supported, although that will significantly drop now they’re playing in League One next season.
They’re on the look-out for a new manager, so who are the main candidates?
Mick McCarthy
McCarthy had a spell in charge of Sunderland from 2003 to 2006, after taking over from Howard Wilkinson following another dismal time for the club, where supporters had watched the team lose six consecutive Premier League games. He failed to stop their slide towards relegation, but lead the club to the play-offs in their first season in the Championship, losing to Crystal Palace on penalties. However, he achieved promotion the following season with an impressive 94 points. He found life tough in the top-flight though and was sacked with just 10 games remaining, with Roy Keane replacing him.
That was 12 years ago now and McCarthy is currently unemployed after leaving Ipswich following a four-year spell in charge of the club in April. He had a hugely positive impact with the Tractor Boys and has had similar spells at Wolves and Millwall. He’ll be highly sought after by Championship clubs in the summer though, which will be much more appealing to him than taking over a club in League One.
Betting Odds: 43/20
Michael Appleton
Currently Leicester assistant manager, Michael Appleton is among the favourites to be the next manager of the Black Cats. He has managerial experience following spells at West Brom, Portsmouth and Blackpool. However, it was his tenure at Oxford United that was the most impressive. He guided them to promotion from League Two and won the Football League Trophy as manager of The U’s. His Oxford team narrowly missed out on the League One play-offs in his third season in charge. Since then, he has acted as caretaker manager at Leicester after Craig Shakespeare was dismissed earlier this season, guiding the Foxes to victories over Swansea and Leeds. His track record is around the League One level and he’s an intimidating man who’ll automatically earn the respect of the dressing room.
Betting Odds: 29/10
Chris Wilder
It would be a huge surprise to see current Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder drop down a division to take over as Sunderland manager. Despite missing out on a play-off spot in the Championship this season after an impressive start to the campaign, Wilder finds himself a hugely popular figure who’s taking the Blades forward. As a manager in League One, he guided Sheffield United to the title with an incredible 100 points and just six defeats all season. It would also take a lot of money to prise him away from Bramall Lane, money that Sunderland simply don’t have.
Betting Odds: 39/20
Jaap Stam
Former Manchester United player and Reading boss Jaap Stam is currently available, having been sacked as Royals manager in March with the club in 20th place. However, he did take Reading to the play-off final last season and was just a penalty shoot-out away from managing in the Premier League this year. He’s good at organising teams and is known for having a strong defence, unsurprising considering his playing career. He also has top-level experience at NEC Zwolle and Ajax in his native Holland. With huge turnover expected at the club this summer, Stam could be a good option for the Black Cats if he can build from the back.
Betting Odds: 19/4
Kevin Phillips
Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has no managerial experience and is currently assistant manager at Derby, who could find themselves in the Premier League next season if they can finish and navigate their way through the play-off stages. However, as he’s untested as a manager, Phillips would be a risky appointment, although he’d have the backing of the fans after what he did for the club as a player.
Betting Odds: 21/2
