Welcome to Last Word on Football’s Sunderland round-up from Thursday 30th May. Today we saw rumours gather pace that the Black Cats were about to announce a new head coach; however, not long after, these rumours came to a sudden halt.
There’s also the latest news on Jobe Bellingham’s future with at least two Premier League clubs wanting to sign the highly-rated youngster.
Sunderland Round-Up: Black Cats Head Coach Latest and Jobe Bellingham is Wanted
Hopes Raised and Then Dashed
Earlier today, a report from Italian news site Calcio Mercato claimed that the Black Cats were close to announcing former Young Boys boss Raphael Wicky as their new head coach. The former Switzerland international was to sign a two-year contract with the option of a further year.
🚨EXCLUSIVE | Sunderland have reached an agreement with Raphael #Wicky: two-year contract with option #safc
📲 @RaffaeleAmato14https://t.co/zhRaBdhMuk
— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) May 30, 2024
As fans began to breathe a sigh of relief that after more than 100 days of searching, their club had finally decided on a new head coach, reports began to quickly appear via the likes of Fabrizio Romano and the Sunderland Echo that Wicky was not set to be announced. With reports wide of the mark regarding Raphael Wicky, Sunderland’s search continues.
🔴⚪️❌ Sunderland will not appoint Raphael Wicky as new manager despite recent reports.
No contacts, no talks and he’s not on the shortlist for #SAFC job.
Club working on different candidates to appoint new head coach. pic.twitter.com/2zMfOrHsIC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2024
Jobe Bellingham Wanted
Reports this evening have claimed that both Crystal Palace and Brentford are chasing highly-rated youngster Jobe Bellingham, brother of Real Madrid’s Jude. Both Fabrizio Romano and the Sunderland Echo have said that the two Premier League clubs have made the 18-year-old their priority target.
🚨🔵🔴 EXCLUSIVE: Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Jobe Bellingham as one of their priority targets for the summer.
Oliver Glasner wants him and Dougie Freedman is working to convince the player.
👀Other clubs including Brentford want Jobe, open race — as @jaydmharris calls. pic.twitter.com/uSRVdddgJk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2024
The teenager still has several seasons left on his contract, a deal he signed just last summer. Therefore, any fee offered to Sunderland would need to be significant to tempt them into selling.
Read More: Sunderland Recruitment: Upcoming Transfer Window Must be a Huge Improvement
