Sunderland have reached an agreement and will now appoint their next manager.
Journalist Alan Nixon has discussed how ‘near’ Sunderland are to selecting a new head coach.
It has been more than a week since Sunderland’s season ended, and it was believed that Mike Dodds would be replaced soon.
Despite ties to Will Still and Paul Heckingbottom dating back to February, rumors now suggest that supporters may have to wait until next month to find out who their new head coach is.
Rene Maric and Danny Rohl were also considered to be on the shortlist.
However, former Mainz manager Bo Svensson has emerged as a’shock possibility’, having led the Bundesliga team to within four points of Europa Conference League qualifying.
How long can Sunderland wait for a new head coach?
The Dane has been without a club since leaving Mainz earlier this season, and writer Alan Nixon says Sunderland’s interest in him has been ‘ongoing for a couple of weeks’.
Nixon has also sent some good news to fans who are eagerly expecting an appointment.
Nixon stated on X that interaction between Sunderland and Svensson has been underway for some weeks, along with other prospects. However, I believe we are nearing a conclusion.”
Bo Svensson’s arrival, however, would not need a compensation fee because he is now jobless.
The 44-year-old has somewhat more experience than Maric and Rohl, who both played in the Bundesliga. However, his success in Germany may make it more difficult for the Black Cats to meet his goals.
Is Sunderland waiting for Will Still to leave Reims?
Nixon’s statement that a resolution is now ‘near’ might imply that the Wearside outfit was waiting for a season elsewhere in Europe to complete, with Still departing Reims after their last game this weekend.
Sunderland has no reason to look beyond this month for their new head coach, but ideally they have a specific goal in mind and aren’t just waiting to see who they can get at the last minute.
One appointment that makes no sense for the next month is Paul Heckingbottom, who was available when we fired Michael Beale in February.
According to reports, the former Sheffield United boss may not want to join the Black Cats given their current transfer situation.
