Once again Sunderland find themselves without a manager/head coach. This scenario is an all too familiar story for Sunderland fans and one that they wish would stop happening. Many have been linked to the post but realistically, who’s next. And more importantly, who has the potential to stay there?
Who Will Come Off The Merry Go Round And Into The Sunderland Hot Seat This Time?
Here is a look at some of the leading contenders for the job.
Sam Allardyce
Allardyce seems to be the bookmaker’s favourite for the job and a recent poll conducted by the Sunderland Echo revealed that 75% of Sunderland supporters want the ex-West Ham boss in charge at the Stadium of Light. ‘Big Sam’ certainly seems to be the safest pair of hands to turn to at this time and his track record in the Premier League is rock solid. Allardyce also knows the club well having played for them in the early 80’s and worked under Peter Reid when he was manager back in the 90’s. With Sunderland’s defensive problems well documented, he could be the man to turn the Black Cats back in to a team that is hard to break down.
Patrick Vieira
Vieira was a target for Newcastle in the summer but allegedly turned them down as he demanded full control. Would he get this at Sunderland? Sporting Director Lee Congerton seems to be on his way hinting that it may well be possible. The ex-Arsenal captain has been manager of Manchester City’s Elite Development squad since 2013 but inexperience could work against Vieira who has not managed in the top division before. Indeed Vieira has no management experience whatsoever in professional football. He would be a risk that is for sure. This risk gains credence when you think that the likes of Paolo di Canio and Gus Poyet also had no top flight managerial experience.
Sean Dyche
Dyche is well thought of throughout the football world having done an excellent job at Burnley. They were relegated from the Premier League last season but are currently looking good for a swift return whilst his tactics, professional attitude and charisma brought him many fans. He was also apparently on a short list in the summer before Advocaats u-turn. A determined manager who wants to succeed, but would he turn his back on Burnley at this stage in his managerial career?
Nigel Pearson
Masterminded a great escape at Leicester City last season but was sacked in the summer following a turbulent relationship with the press and even his own fans throughout the season. Sunderland (with their own penchant for great escapes) will surely consider Pearson given he is not attached to a club at the minute and therefore won’t cost Sunderland a penny in compensation.
David Moyes
Despite a successful tenure at Everton, Moyes had an unhappy spell at Manchester United before heading off to Spain with Real Sociedad. Currently struggling in the league, Sociedad are just two points off the bottom of the table. Could Moyes jump at a return to the Premier League to rebuild his reputation and prove his doubters wrong?
Other alleged candidates include the likes of Walter Materazzi, Harry Redknapp, Brendan Rodgers and Michael Laudrup. However there would be no surprise if a man not on any bookmakers list was appointed.
Fans will be hoping the club gets this one right and are not looking for a new man to either save them near the end of the season or get them going near the beginning of one. ‘Manager out, manager in, save the club, repeat’ has been the blueprint for too long now and stability must be the way forward. Whoever comes in is going to have to work with same squad of players that Dick Advocaat had. He will have to deal with a leaky defence but also a team that when they want to, can compete with most teams and play very well. However they are also a team that can let teams beat them far too easily.
A big challenge awaits for the new man and he must get Sunderland firing on all cylinders from his very first game. An away trip to West Bromwich Albion will be the new mans first game followed by the derby against rivals Newcastle United in front of a capacity crowd at the Stadium of Light. No pressure then.
