Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus may have just received a significant management boost ahead of another appointment.
Sunderland fired Michael Beale earlier this year, leaving them without a permanent manager and suffering in the Championship.
Beale initiated this disastrous run of form by eroding the players’ confidence and positivity.
The Black Cats now play with a lack of confidence, as evidenced by their most recent 5-1 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday.
Mike Dodds was visibly unhappy following that setback, and his chances of getting the permanent job appear to be slim.
Who is in the running for the Sunderland job
According to a recent iNews report, there are currently three main applicants for the job.
Will Still, the manager of Reims, is one; he has been associated with the Stadium of Light position all season and remains a candidate.
Sunderland have expressed interest in Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl after his stunning turnaround in South Yorkshire.
An anonymous Belgian coach is also vying for the position.
However, according to recent rumors, former Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom is at the top of Sunderland’s wish list.
Paul Heckingbottom stance on Sunderland job
According to reports, Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus believes Heckingbottom is the best candidate to manage the club next season.
And journalist Phil Smith has urged the club to make an appointment before the end of the current season, assuming the desired candidate is still available.
Alan Nixon has now shared Heckingbottom’s likely view on the Sunderland job on X:
If the job is right for him … I’m sure he would https://t.co/ElNuS4b5lJ
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) April 2, 2024
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus can’t afford to wait for Paul Heckingbottom
As Smith previously stated, if Heckingbottom is the guy Sunderland wants, they should act soon.
The club has had time to conduct research.
Furthermore, employment will continue to open up between now and the summer, perhaps increasing interest in Heckingbottom.
And, with this season shaping up to be fairly mediocre, bringing Heckingbottom in now and perhaps putting some points on the board before the summer could do everyone a lot of good at Sunderland.
He is still an experienced, promotion-winning manager at Sheffield United, and he prefers more offensive play, therefore he could be an ideal candidate for Sunderland.
Bringing him to the club could be costly for Louis-Dreyfus and co.
But if he’s the player they want, they’ll undoubtedly be willing to put money on the table, and hopefully back him in the summer as well.
