Sunderland may now have to withdraw their interest in one of their top managerial candidates.
Sunderland fired Michael Beale in February, paving the way for a summer signing.
Mike Dodds took over and, after a rough start, has Sunderland looking more like their previous selves, albeit without goals.
The Black Cats stay in 13th place in the Championship table following a stunning 1-0 victory over West Brom.
Sunderland manager latest
There has been some modest movement on the management front over the last week or two.
The major story concerns Reims manager Will Still.
Still, 31, is still competing for European football next season with Reims, but sources from France this week suggested that Reims are preparing for Still’s likely departure in the summer.
Reims is even looking into potential replacements, with Still hinting to the possibility of managing in the Championship one day.
However, the same source stated that Reims would be due approximately €5 million in compensation, or £4.27 million.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has also been linked with Sunderland.
However, Alan Nixon recently argued that the remuneration required for Rohl would likely put Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and colleagues off that particular appointment:
There’s an interest but compo would probably put that one off https://t.co/nSe4MSxHxo
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) April 13, 2024
Compensation claims surely means one thing for Sunderland
It’s unclear what Rohl’s compensation price will be.
However, he is only under contract with Sheffield Wednesday until the summer of 2025, and it appears doubtful that the Championship strugglers will have a higher compensation clause than Still’s.
So, if Sunderland is unwilling to buy out Rohl, it is increasingly improbable that the Black Cats will be willing to buy out Still from Reims.
That clearly points to Sunderland appointing an out-of-work manager, with one top candidate.
Paul Heckingbottom latest
Previous sources indicated that former Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom is Sunderland’s top target for the summer.
He’s out of employment, has Championship experience, and may be a Tony Mowbray-type hire given his Championship knowledge and friendly demeanor.
Heckingbottom, 46, certainly appears to meet the requirements, and if he is Sunderland’s top target, and if Sunderland is unwilling to spend a large sum of money on a new manager’s compensation, there appears to be little purpose in waiting to appoint him.
Kristjaan Speakman earlier stated that the club is willing to pay a compensation fee this summer, but that the club would prefer to sign an available coach such as Heckingbottom, who has been characterized as ‘unbelievable’ by pundit Carlton Palmer.
If Sunderland can bring in a new manager before the conclusion of the season, he will have a chance, although a brief one, to look over the squad before getting straight to work in the summer transfer window.
Sunderland have just three games remaining in the season, with Millwall visiting the Stadium of Light this weekend.
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