Sunderland are drawing up a managerial shortlist ahead of the summer.
Sunderland sacked Michael Beale last month and are now gearing up for another managerial appointment in the summer.
Mike Dodds looks set to step down as interim boss but seems likely to remain on the coaching staff having been with the club for several years now.
Sunderland currently sit in 12th place of the Championship table and are only nine points above the drop zone, so the Black Cats could yet become entangled in a relegation fight this season.
But the likelihood is that they stay in the division for another year at least.
Regardless, the next managerial appointment is a crucial one for sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
Who is in the running for Sunderland manager job
Will Still is fancied by Sunderland for the manager’s job.
The Reims boss continues to shine in France and has hinted at potentially being interested in managing in the Championship one day.
Elsewhere, Steve Cooper is said to have a mutual appreciation with Sunderland, whilst recent reports have also claimed that an unnamed Belgian coach is under consideration at the Stadium of Light.
More recently, Sunderland have been linked with Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl.
Danny Rohl responds to Sunderland speculation
Rohl, 34, spoke to the press on Thursday and gave his verdict on the Sunderland rumours.
Rohl said:
“What can you say? I can say that at the moment I am very happy here at Sheffield Wednesday. I enjoy the club and the supporters.
“I know how strong the relationship is and this is a key point for me as well. I have a good group here around me and I know what I want to do here. I know what we have to do in the summer to make a step forward. There are other things.
“The focus must be really clear when we look at our goals for the season. This is important for all those next steps.”
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus could hire Danny Rohl if Sheffield Wednesday are relegated
Rohl, who pundit Carlton Palmer says has done a ‘fantastic’ job at Wednesday, is currently under contract at Hillsborough until the end of next season.
Speakman recently revealed that Sunderland could be ready to pay out a compensation fee for their next boss, which would also be the case with Still.
And whilst Rohl’s comments suggest that he has no intentions of leaving Sheffield Wednesday, it feels quite strongly that relegation to League One would see him depart.
He’s proved himself to be a very worthy Championship coach so far, and what’s more is that Rohl’s comments hint at the Owls’ controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri making some changes to the club.
Chansiri has made a name for himself this season, though for all the wrong reasons; he previously pledged to stop putting money into the club and even if he does change his mind, finances appear to be very tight still.
So Rohl may not get the backing he wants or needs at Sheffield Wednesday and relegation could be the final straw for him.
Should that happen, Louis-Dreyfus and Speakman must be ready to swoop in for Rohl who could become easy pickings at Sheffield Wednesday.
With just a year left on his deal, and also bearing in mind this is his first job as a manager and he’s at a club where finances are tight, he could be a much cheaper alternative than someone like Still who could be managing a Europa League side in Reims come next season.
