Sunderland have a ‘preferred choice’ in their search for a new manager.
Sunderland have endured a turbulent past week in their managerial search, which has now moved past the 100-day mark.
The Black Cats sacked Michael Beale more than three months ago and have been linked with a long list of names since.
But the list of names still in contention is now very short, with new contenders emerging quite sporadically as pressure mounts on Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
The young chairman faces a make or break summer at the Stadium of Light following a poor league finish in 2023/24 and a slow start to proceedings in the post-season.
But the Frenchman has a preferred candidate to become the next Sunderland manager, and it may not be surprising to fans.
Will Still remains Sunderland preferred choice
An emerging report from The Sun claims that Will Still ‘remains Louis-Dreyfus’ preferred choice’, despite Still now being the target of several other clubs.
Last week, it was revealed that the 31-year-old Still has visited Norwich City’s training ground and spoken with the club about the possibility of replacing David Wagner.
But the Canaries now look set to appoint Johannes Hoff Thorup, potentially freeing up Still to head to Wearside this summer.
The Belgian-English coach has been linked with the Sunderland job since the club sacked Tony Mowbray, and again when the club sacked Beale.
The same report from The Sun also reveals that former Young Boys manager Raphael Wicky is a new contender for the Sunderland job.
When will Sunderland appoint their next manager
Sunderland are certainly leaving it late. Fans will have hoped to see the club have a manager lined up and in place for close to the end of the season.
That would’ve showed everyone their intent and it would’ve given fans an end to the 2023/24 season and the uncertainty that lies ahead.
But the longer this manager search rumbles on, the more it looks like Louis-Dreyfus, Kristjaan Speakman and co, don’t really know where to turn next.
There’s still time before the pre-season starts and the summer transfer window opens, and if Sunderland hire a new manager in the next week or so then it’ll give the club plenty of time to prepare for the next campaign.
But Louis-Dreyfus certainly needs to pull the trigger soon, and if Still remains his preferred choice then he simplyhas to make a move happen.