He has rendered his verdict.
With the season and Mike Dodds’ interim stint in charge coming to an end, Sunderland’s hunt for their next permanent manager is well started, with a fresh candidate emerging.
Sunderland manager news
While the top name speculated for some time has been Paul Heckingbottom, who was fired by Premier League club Sheffield United earlier this season, Sunderland has yet to officially make an appointment, leaving the door open for new possibilities. Following Michael Beale’s terrible spell, the Black Cats’ next option will undoubtedly require careful consideration.
If those at the Stadium of Light had the option of keeping Tony Mowbray instead of making way for Beale, few would blame them. Sunderland were in contention for the play-offs at the time, but after such a tragedy and a failure to recover from it, the Wearsiders are now on track to finish disappointingly in mid-table.
Fans can at least look forward to next season, when a new period and unexpected candidate may emerge. According to former Sunderland player Michael Gray, Alex Rae has been touted for the Sunderland post this summer, despite the fact that the current Rangers assistant coach has not been the head coach since leaving St Mirren in 2016.
Gray told Ally McCoist on talkSPORT via Football Scotland: “I tell you who got mentioned the other day was Alex Rae, who is working at Rangers right now.”
McCoist wasn’t opposed to Rae either, responding to the news with: “I’m with you – Sunderland need to look for a fresh, young, dynamic – preferably I think British – coach who could maybe grab that club and move it forward.”
So, while Heckingbottom’s name has regularly been mentioned, Sunderland might make a surprise move and give Rae his first managerial position in eight years.
Sunderland must be careful with next appointment
Sunderland didn’t actually flirt with relegation this season, but getting their next appointment wrong could easily draw them back into a struggle for survival in what would be a dreadful season. While Rae meets the criteria for a young, vibrant British coach, the fact that he has not held a managerial position in nearly a decade should raise concerns at the Stadium of Light.
Of course, people in Wearside aren’t opposed to making bold judgments. They proved this by replacing Mowbray with Beale, a decision they subsequently regretted. They might also take another gamble, despite Rae’s recent lack of experience. It would surely make for an entertaining watch next season, in one way or another.
Sunderland does not have too much time to make a decision. There are only two games left in Dodds’ interim term in the Championship, and in an ideal world, the Black Cats would like to have completed their managerial search by the time the summer transfer market opens. However, if 65-year-old Rae makes a surprise appearance remains to be seen.
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