Sunderland look set to miss out on another managerial target, after suggestions of Paul Heckingbottom heading to Plymouth Argyle.
It was recently revealed that Sunderland-linked manager Paul Heckingbottom was set to be interviewed by Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle this week.
Since, it’s been claimed that Heckingbottom is the front-runner to land the Plymouth Argyle job this summer.
So Heckingbottom, who was previously reported to be Sunderland’s no.1 managerial target this summer, looks unlikely to be heading to the Stadium of Light this summer.
The Black Cats have now been managerless for more than three months and Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus appears to be no closer to finding Michael Beale’s successor.
And now it seems like Sunderland may miss out on another reported managerial target.
Bo Svensson to Union Berlin is a ‘done deal’
Danish coach Bo Svensson has recently been linked with the Sunderland job, after leaving German outfit Mainz midway through the 2023/24 campaign.
But recent reports revealed that Svensson was fancied by Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin, who only avoided relegation this season by goal difference.
Now, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed on X that 44-year-old Svensson to Union Berlin is a ‘done deal’.
Plettenberg adds that an ‘announcement is to be made this week’, taking yet another name out of the race to become the next Sunderland manager.
Sunderland have to pull the trigger soon
Many fans assumed Sunderland would have sought their next manager and have them in place for as close to the end of the 2023/24 season as possible.
But to now be approaching the summer transfer and pre-season, without a manager in place, and without a clear front-runner, is certainly worrying.
And the fact that names like Heckingbottom and Svensson who’ve been on Sunderland’s radar, but are now heading elsewhere, could start a worrying trend.
Will Still appears to be the closest thing to a front-runner for Sunderland given his long-term links and the fact that he’s still out of work after leaving Reims at the start of May.
But he too may quickly become the target of other clubs if Sunderland don’t strike soon and bring him in, or bring in whoever it is they want as their next manager.
Time is very much of the essence. Sunderland fans seem desperate for their club to hire a manager and show some kind of authority and planning for the next season, and indeed for the seasons beyond.
But right now, it seems like the Black Cats are behind schedule, and struggling to figure out exactly what is it they want from a new manager.