SUNDERLAND’S search for a new head coach is reaching a crucial stage, with the club keen to avoid the current uncertainty dragging on too far beyond the end of the season.

Who are the leading candidates for the job? And how well suited are they to demands of being the next Black Cats boss?


WILL STILL

Pros: The 31-year-old is regarded as one of the most talented and innovative young coaches in Europe following a successful spell in charge of Ligue 1 side Reims. In his two seasons in charge of Reims, Still oversaw a record-breaking 19-game unbeaten run and guided the club to two creditable mid-table finishes. A Belgian-born Englishman, he is keen to manage in England, and previously expressed an interest in leading Sunderland when he was sounded out for the job in the winter. Having left Reims by mututal consent earlier this month, he is available without the need for compensation, which was a major stumbling block when he was overlooked prior to Michael Beale’s appointment.

Cons: The Reims job followed a brief spell in charge of Belgian club Beerschot, but while his reputation soared during his time in Ligue 1, his lack of managerial experience is a worry. He has no experience of life in the Championship, and has to prove he is capable of transferring his coaching skills to the cut-and-thrust of life in the English second tier. Having taken Reims to the brink of European qualification, he was unable to arrest the slide that currently sees his former side just four places above the drop zone. Would he be able to cope if things got tough at Sunderland?

Betting odds: 4-5

 


DANNY ROHL

Pros: The current Sheffield Wednesday boss would run Kieran McKenna close for the mantle of Championship Manager of the Season, such was his impact with the Owls. Having inherited a side that looked certain to be relegated last October, Rohl completely transformed Wednesday’s fortunes. That experience of turning around a flatlining side could be crucial with Sunderland. He has hinted he could be ready to walk away from Hillsborough, and his appointment would be a major signal of intent, potentially energising and uniting a Wearside fanbase that has become understandably apathetic in the last few months.

Cons: Could Sunderland prise Rohl out of Wednesday’s clutches? And even if they could persuade the 35-year-old German to jump ship, could they afford the compensation that his current employers would demand for his services? Rohl is contracted to the Owls for another season, so he would almost certainly not come cheap. His restlessness in his current position appears to stem from a concern over Wednesday’s ambition, especially when it comes to the transfer market. Would he make demands on Wearside that Sunderland’s ownership group were unwilling to meet?

Betting odds: 7-4

 

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RENE MARIC

Pros: As the current head coach of Bayern Munich’s Under-19s, 31-year-old Maric has established a reputation as a talented, progressive coach, especially adept at nurturing and improving young players. Straight away, that ticks a lot of boxes on Sunderland’s wish-list. Maric has worked as part of the coaching team at some of the biggest clubs in Europe – RB Salzburg, Borussia Monchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund – and also boasts experience of the Championship, having been part of Jesse Marsch’s coaching team at Leeds. Having cut his coaching teeth in a variety of different roles, the suggestion in the German media is that he is keen to take on his first head-coach role.

Cons: While he has built up an impressive CV working in the background at some of Europe’s leading sides, Maric has never been a head coach at first-team level. His coaching skills might be considerable, but as the Michael Beale debacle proved, being a head coach demands so much more than being an innovator on the training ground. How would he handle the pressure-cooker environment of being Sunderland boss? Maric is highly thought of at Bayern Munich, so while he might just be a youth coach, his current employers would almost certainly try to hold on to him if Sunderland came calling.

Betting odds: 5-2


PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM

Pros: Heckingbottom knows what it takes to win promotion from the Championship – he led Sheffield United out of the second tier last season when the Blades were not particularly well-fancied. The 46-year-old also knows all about life at Sunderland – he spent four years at the club as a youngster, albeit without making a first-team appearance – and boasts extensive managerial experience, having led Barnsley, Leeds and Hibernian before taking over at Bramall Lane. He is currently out of work, having been dismissed from Sheffield United in December, and would be keen to step in at the Stadium of Light.

Cons: While Sheffield United were always going to struggle in the Premier League, Heckingbottom’s reputation nevertheless suffered a considerable dent from the scale of the Blades’ struggles in the first half of the season. When things started going wrong, he looked completely incapable of arresting the slide. While Heckingbottom is hardly an ‘old-school’ manager, he would almost certainly want a degree of control over the recruitment process at Sunderland. Would he eventually start causing the kind of problems that led to the exit of both Alex Neil and Tony Mowbray?

Betting odds: 3-1