Sunderland are still looking for a new manager following Michael Beale’s dismissal, and a “magnificent” leader is said to be interested in the position.
Sunderland manager latest
The Black Cats stripped Beale of his duties last week, following a terrible run of form that saw his team drop down the Championship table. Since then, Mike Dodds has been in interim command of Sunderland, but things haven’t gone well, with another defeat against Swansea City at the Stadium of Light.
That has underscored the importance of finding a long-term replacement for Beale as quickly as possible, and several potential candidates have arisen in recent days. Paul Heckingbottom, who formerly led Sheffield United before losing his position at Bramall Lane, is apparently in the running to be Sunderland’s next manager. Marek Papszun, a 49-year-old free agent, has emerged as a more unusual choice.
Reims ace Will Still is another name that isn’t going away, having previously been mentioned as a managerial candidate for the Black Cats, and his future in France remains uncertain.
Alex Neil keen on Sunderland job
According to reputable writer Alan Nixon on Patreon [via Football League World], former Sunderland manager Alex Neil is interested in becoming the club’s next manager after previously managing at the Stadium of Light.
The Scot’s most recent employment was as manager of Stoke City from 2022 to 2023, however his time with the Black Cats was brief, lasting only 24 matches in 2022. He led them to the Championship at the time, securing promotion from League One with a playoff final victory over Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.
Neil is an intriguing alternative for Sunderland, and the fact that he already knows the club well makes him a safer choice than others.
He also prefers a 4-2-3-1 configuration, which is similar to Beale’s, so the players should be able to adapt to the shift. Meanwhile, Peter Reid waxed lyrical about him throughout his tenure as manager, saying:
“I thought they were terrific. They were sturdy in the back. I think Alex Neil has done an outstanding job; I felt Pritchard and Roberts performed admirably, but in general, he’s made them difficult to beat, and they always keep coming, as evidenced at Wembley.”
Ultimately, the decision rests with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and those high up at Sunderland, but if they believe Neil has unfinished business and will return, it is a decision that needs to be trusted. Someone like Still may potentially be a more intriguing choice, given that he is only 31 years old and brings fresh ideas and long-term promise to the club, but Neil has been there and done it, with greater experience, making this one to watch.
Leave a Reply