Journalist Alan Nixon has addressed how ‘close’ Sunderland are to appointing a new head coach.
It has been over a week since Sunderland‘s campaign finally came to an end, while it was initially expected they wouldn’t have to wait too long before Mike Dodds was replaced.
Despite links to the likes of Will Still and Paul Heckingbottom since February, reports have since claimed that fans may have to wait until next month to find out who their new head coach will be.
Still remains a hot favourite for the job after it was confirmed that he would leave Reims at the end of the season, while Rene Maric and Danny Rohl were also thought to have made up the shortlist.
However, former Mainz manager Bo Svensson has now emerged as a ‘shock candidate’, having guided the Bundesliga club to only four points adrift from Europa Conference League qualification.
How long Sunderland could wait for a new head coach
The Dane has been without a club since leaving Mainz earlier this season, and journalist Alan Nixon has now claimed Sunderland’s interest in him has been ‘ongoing for a couple of weeks’.
Nixon has also issued some good news for supporters, who are impatiently awaiting an appointment.
When asked whether there had been any contact between Sunderland and Svensson, Nixon wrote on X: “It’s been ongoing for a couple of weeks … along with other candidates who have been going on longer … but think a conclusion is now close.”
While Still, Bo Svensson’s arrival wouldn’t require a compensation fee as he is currently unemployed.
The 44-year-old has a little more experience than Maric and Rohl, who have both spent time in the Bundesliga. However, his success in Germany may make it a little harder for the Black Cats to match his ambitions.
Are Sunderland waiting for Will Still to leave Reims?
Nixon’s suggestion that a conclusion is now ‘close’ could suggest that the Wearside outfit were waiting for a season elsewhere in Europe to end, with Still leaving Reims following their final game this weekend.
Sunderland have no excuse to go beyond this month in finding their new head coach, but hopefully they have a particular target in mind and aren’t just aimlessly waiting to see who they can get at the last minute.
One appointment that would make no sense over the next month is Paul Heckingbottom, who would have actually been available back when we sacked Michael Beale in February.
Reports have claimed the former Sheffield United coach may not want to join the Black Cats with their current transfer policy anyway, though that would surely be an issue for other candidates too.
