A manager has now admitted he hasn’t even considered joining Sunderland, despite heavy interest.
Sunderland are over three months into their hunt for a new manager, but don’t seem to be much closer to appointing one.
Like before Christmas, the Black Cats have beenlinked with a move to Will Still and it had looked like he would be their first-choice target.
However, as weeks have quickly passed, reports have now claimed that they look ‘increasingly unlikely’ to appoint the 31-year-old.
It has been a terrible week for Sunderland, who have seen targets such as Still, Bo Svensson and Paul Heckingbottom potentially on their way to other clubs.
To rub salt in the wounds even further, Sheffield Wednesday have now announced that Danny Rohl has signed a new four-year deal.
The German has been a consistent name on Sunderland’s radar since they sacked Michael Beale in February, and Wednesday’s looming relegation made it look a likely move.
However, the Owls eventually stayed up and have now managed to tie him down, while Sunderland remain clueless on who they will appoint next.
While it feels like the Wearside outfit have missed out on Rohl, his recent comments have made it clear that they were never even remotely close to bringing him to the Stadium of Light.
Danny Rohl was never going to join Sunderland
Speaking to the club official website after signing his new contract, the 35-year-old said: “I am delighted to extend my contract with Sheffield Wednesday. This is a fantastic club that has taken me to heart and I feel exactly the same way.
“It was never in my mind to be anywhere else but Hillsborough. I feel at home here, the fans have been incredible, they have shown myself and my staff nothing but kindness since the first day.
“I would like to thank the chairman for giving me this opportunity and now we are excited to look forward and can plan ahead together for the new season.”
Sunderland’s snail pace has cost them in the manager race
Sunderland couldn’t really do much to tempt Danny Rohl if he never really had any intention of leaving Sheffield Wednesday.
However, that isn’t the reason why the club is now coming under criticism.
The board are now being ridiculed because they have had over three months to identify their target, hold talks with him and appoint him.
The season has now been over for three weeks and in that time, Hull, Plymouth and Norwich have lost their managers, while the likes of Burnley, Ipswich, Leicester could all soon be searching for their own head coach too.
Sunderland had a window of opportunity where they could snap up their main target as soon as the season ended, but they have dragged it on and now it feels like they will be very far behind when it comes to winning the race for a manager.
It’s another disaster-class again for the club, who really only had one chance left after the Michael Beale fiasco.