Five potential managers for Sunderland to appoint

A big summer is approaching for Sunderland after a quite frankly underwhelming campaign for the Black Cats in which they finished in 16th place and 13 points lower than the previous season in which they managed to put themselves in the play-offs. 

Amidst a managerial merry-go-round Sunderland will be hoping to get their next managerial appointment correct as they need to write the wrongs of last season especially as a section of the fanbase have grown frustrated with owner Kyril Louis-Drefus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman’s decisions as of late.  

Listed here are five candidates who could take the hot seat at the Stadium of Light next season: 

Liam Rosenior

An addition that has only been made available as of last night. Rosenior having guided Hull City to a 7th-place finish in his first full season at the club, despite this, he has been sacked as of yesterday. Rosenior took over midway through the previous campaign and found the Tigers in 21st place he ended the 22/23 season in 15th place 14 points clear of the drop and this season he steered the Tigers to a seventh placed only three points off the play off places. He might be someone that Sunderland turns to as he is only 39 years of age and has proven his worth in the Championship. 

John Terry  

Having recently revealed in an interview with Simon Jordan, Terry confirmed he spoke to Sunderland in 2022 during the club’s period in League One however in the end Sunderland went for Alex Neil. Terry still does not have any managerial experience. However, he was a part of the coaching setup at Aston Villa that got promoted under Dean Smith and then helped stabilize the club in the Premier League with 17th place and 11th place finishes respectively. Could Sunderland take a punt on John Terry? 

Paul Heckingbottom 

A more experienced manager, Heckingbottom is tried and tested in the Championship with Barnsley, Leeds and most notably Sheffield United where he took the Blades to promotion last campaign. He achieved a 50%-win rate at Sheffield United having won 28 games during their time in the Championship. Without a job could an experienced figure head be the road that the owner chooses to spearhead this great club back into England’s topflight?  

Will Still 

The youngest manager on this list. Will Still has gained a lot of media attention over the last year and a half after getting the Reims job in 2022 and taking them on an 18-game unbeaten run. Having been heavily rumored to be a candidate for the job in December after the club had sacked Tony Mowbray, at the time Still had Reims in fifth position in Ligue 1 they have petered off slightly since then but still maintained 12th place. Still left Reims last week. Will Sunderland get the man they were looking for in December now? 

Gus Poyet 

A familiar name around Sunderland Gus Poyet who previously managed the club from 2013 till 2015. Poyet managed to take Sunderland to the EFL cup final in his first season and completed the great escape, taking the club from 20th position with four games to go to then keeping the club up with a game to go. In that run Poyet’s side beat Chelsea and Manchester United away from home and drew away to Manchester City who wound out champions of that season. Having almost took Greece to the Euros could a return to Wearside be the next option for Poyet?