One name has now been taken out of the running to become the next Sunderland manager.
There’s an ever-changing list of managers being linked with Sunderland.
Several names are thought to be in contention to replace Michael Beale this summer, with Will Still the name in headlines right now.
It comes after the 31-year-old parted ways with Reims on Thursday following a run of five games without a win and three-straight defeats.
Still has been linked with the Sunderland job throughout the season and is thought to be keen on taking the job at the Stadium of Light.
He would become the Football League’s youngest manager, eclipsing the 34 years of age of Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl, who has also been linked with the Black Cats.
But one name has now been ruled out of Sunderland manager race; Paul Heckingbottom.
Paul Heckingbottom to Sunderland played down
Heckingbottom, 46, is on the market after being sacked by Sheffield United earlier this season.
He’s since been tipped to become the next Sunderland manager with reports even claiming that the Barnsley-born boss is Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ no.1 target ahead of the summer.
But an emerging report from iNews has revealed that Heckingbottom is ‘not currently believed to be in the running’, with the Black Cats determined to give someone fresher in the game a chance at the job.
The stance that Sunderland should take on Paul Heckingbottom
There’s no doubting Heckingbottom’s experience and pedigree at Championship level.
He guided the Blades to promotion last season and with a very injury-prone and ageing side.
With a more youthful Sunderland outfit, albeit with enough injuries, he could well prevail and get Sunderland into the Premier League in a few years and with the right backing.
But it looks like Louis-Dreyfus and co are set on hiring a much younger coach.
And that can have its benefits; Heckingbottom had his flaws at Sheffield United and a newer coach with fresher ideas and a different outlook might succeed in certain environments.
But Tony Mowbray showed at Sunderland; that with a younger group of players, a more experienced, tried and tested manager can often be the better fit.
Sunderland should keep Heckingbottom on their radar and not completely look past him ahead of the summer.
If they want Still, approach for him, and don’t get him, then they might have to tun back to Heckingbottom who could’ve already taken another job by then.
Heckingbottom be in demand this summer, no doubt, so Sunderland need to make up their minds fast, and act.